widen
gb/wˈaɪdən/ us/wˈaɪdən/
A2
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Make something wider
To make something bigger from side to side.
Usage pattern:
to widen [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'widen' with 'broaden'; 'widen' is more common for physical dimensions, while 'broaden' is often for abstract ideas.
Synonyms
broaden (Often used more figuratively or for non-physical contexts, e.g., 'broaden your mind'.)
Antonyms
narrow (Means to make something less wide.)
Collocations
widen a road
|widen a doorway
|widen the gap
|widen the range
|widen the scope
Themes
construction
|design
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The city plans to widen the main street to reduce traffic.
- They decided to widen the doorway for easier access.
- Engineers will widen the bridge to allow more lanes.
- The company aims to widen its product range.
- She widened her eyes in surprise.
Learner examples
- They will widen the road next year.
- We need to widen the table for more space.
- The builder will widen the door.
- The shop wants to widen its selection.
- He widened his eyes when he saw the gift.
Verb
A2
action
2
Become wider
To get bigger from side to side.
Usage pattern:
[something] widens
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse active 'widen' (make wider) with this intransitive form meaning 'become wider'.
Synonyms
broaden (Can also mean to become wider, but often used in figurative contexts.)
Antonyms
narrow (Means to become less wide.)
Collocations
the gap widens
|river widens
|path widens
Themes
nature
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The river widens as it approaches the sea.
- The gap between rich and poor is widening.
- The road widens after the next bend.
- Her smile widened when she saw him.
- The path widens into a clearing.
Learner examples
- The street widens after the corner.
- His eyes widened when he heard the news.
- The river widens near the lake.
- The gap widens every year.
- Her smile widened quickly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
widen
IPA
GB/wˈaɪdən/
US/wˈaɪdən/
Syllables & stress
widen (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (widen)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: widen
- 3rd Person Singular: widens
- Present Participle: widening
- Past: widened
Word family
Expressions
eyes widen
1/ˈaɪz wˈaɪdən/
fixed phrase
Eyes open more from emotion
When someone's eyes open bigger because they feel surprised, afraid, or excited.
Examples
- Her eyes widened in shock when she saw the bill.
- His eyes widened with excitement at the sight of the cake.
widen one's horizons
1/wˈaɪdən wˈʌnz hɚˈaɪzənz/
fixed phrase
Increase experiences or knowledge
To let someone see and learn more about the world or new ideas.
Examples
- Travel can really widen your horizons.
- Reading different genres of books can widen one's horizons.
widen the gap
1/wˈaɪdən ðə ɡˈæp/
fixed phrase
Increase difference between two things
To make the difference between two people, groups, or things bigger.
Examples
- Rising prices are widening the gap between rich and poor.
- The team's victory widened the gap at the top of the league.