Broaden
/ˈbrɔːdn/
verbBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
To increase in width, scope, or range.
/ˈbrɔːdn/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To make or become wider or larger in scope or extent.
He broadened his knowledge by reading widely.
💡 Simply: To make something bigger or wider.
More Examples
2
The company broadened its product line to attract new customers.
How It's Used
Education
"The course aims to broaden students' understanding of the subject."
Personal Development
"Traveling helped to broaden her horizons."
From Middle English *broden, from Old English *brōdian, from Proto-Germanic *brōđijan. Related to 'broad'.
The word has been used in a similar sense since at least the 14th century, with its meaning consistently related to widening or extending.
Memory tip
Imagine broadening a river – it gets wider.
Practice
brodenbroadin
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written