Word
broaden
Phoneticsbroad·en, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɹɔdən/
UK/bɹˈɔːdən/
Definition
v. to make something wider or to increase the range of things you know or experience. You use this when you want to grow your mind or make a physical space larger.
v. to increase the width, range, or scope of something. Often used figuratively to describe the expansion of knowledge, perspectives, or experiences.
Examples
“Traveling helps to broaden your mind.”
“The university aims to broaden the curriculum to include more diverse perspectives from around the world.”
“The government decided to broaden the scope of the investigation after new evidence suggested that the initial findings were only the tip of the iceberg.”
Examples
simple
“Traveling helps to broaden your mind.”
contextual
“The university aims to broaden the curriculum to include more diverse perspectives from around the world.”
complex
“The government decided to broaden the scope of the investigation after new evidence suggested that the initial findings were only the tip of the iceberg.”
Usage
The verb is both transitive (taking a direct object) and intransitive (describing something that becomes wider).
Real-World Examples
“The researchers also want to broaden their analysis beyond Reddit and beyond English-language communities.” “Over the past three decades, as the study of intelligence has broadened beyond humans, slime-mould research has gathered speed.” Etymology
From broad + -en (verbal suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/broaden