# broaden

/ˈbɹɔdən/ (US) · /bɹˈɔːdən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/broaden
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- The verb is both transitive (taking a direct object) and intransitive (describing something that becomes wider).

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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.