# broad

/ˈbɹɔd/ (US) · /bɹˈɔːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/broad
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. wide

adjective · CEFR B1

very wide from one side to the other.

For teachers: having a great physical distance from side to side; wide.

- The river is very broad at this point, making it difficult to swim across.
- The hikers paused to admire the broad valley stretching out beneath them, dotted with small farmhouses and winding streams.

### 2. general

adjective · CEFR B1

covering many things or focusing on the main ideas rather than small details.

For teachers: covering a wide scope or range of subjects; general rather than specific.

- The director gave us a broad outline of the plan for next year.
- The report provides a broad overview of the economic trends affecting the region without delving into specific local data.

### 3. strong accent

adjective · CEFR B2

a very strong regional way of speaking.

For teachers: relating to a regional accent that is very noticeable and distinct.

- He spoke with a broad Scottish accent that was sometimes hard to understand.
- Despite living in London for twenty years, she retained a broad Yorkshire accent that immediately identified her origins.

### 4. obvious

adjective · CEFR B2

very clear and easy to see or understand.

For teachers: plain, evident, or lacking in subtlety.

- There was a broad hint of sarcasm in her voice when she thanked him.
- The comedian relied on broad physical humor and exaggerated gestures to keep the young audience entertained.

### 5. woman

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang · Informal

an old-fashioned and sometimes rude word for a woman.

For teachers: a slang term for a woman, now largely considered dated and potentially offensive.

- In those old black-and-white movies, the characters often used the word broad.
- The script was criticized for its use of the term broad, which many modern viewers find derogatory and sexist.

Teaching tip: This sense is dated and often offensive in modern American English; learners should avoid using it.

### 6. floodlight

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of powerful light used in film or television studios.

For teachers: a type of floodlight used to provide even illumination over a wide area.

- The crew set up a broad to light the background of the scene.
- The cinematographer requested an additional broad to eliminate the harsh shadows cast by the primary key light.

## Examples

- The comedian made a joke about a broad in the audience.
- The actor was known for playing broad characters in comedy films.
- Critics noted the film's reliance on outdated stereotypes, including the reductive portrayal of a broad as a caricature of femininity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.