Skip to main content

broaden — to become wider or to make something wider

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to become wider or to make something wider

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbrɔːdən/

Example Sentences

  • My mom tried to broaden my taste by forcing me to eat broccoli, but it only broadened my creativity in hiding vegetables.
  • Reading diverse books can broaden your perspective significantly.
  • The company wants to broaden its customer base by targeting younger demographics.

broaden

VERB

[/ˈbrɔːdən/]

to become wider or to make something wider

While the old stone alley was cramped and narrow, the workers paved a new avenue to broaden the street for carts and cyclists.
💡 Concept

While the old stone alley was cramped and narrow, the workers paved a new avenue to broaden the street for carts and cyclists.

BROAD (wide) + EN (make) — by choosing to EN (make) her travel map BROAD (wide) across world seas, the scholar acted to broaden her worldview.
🧠 Mnemonic

BROAD (wide) + EN (make) — by choosing to EN (make) her travel map BROAD (wide) across world seas, the scholar acted to broaden her worldview.

Taking a quiet morning walk through the floral garden and offering an old rival full pardon, he felt his heart and mind truly broaden.
🎵 Rhyme

Taking a quiet morning walk through the floral garden and offering an old rival full pardon, he felt his heart and mind truly broaden.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈbrɔːdən/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈbrɔːdən/

🌳Etymology

Rootbroad
Suffix--en

Origin

From the Middle English 'braden', derived from the Old English 'brad' meaning 'broad' or 'wide'. The suffix '-en' is a common verb-forming element in English, creating a causative or inchoative verb meaning 'to make' or 'to become'.

Breakdown

broad (adjective: wide) + -en (verb-forming suffix: to make/become) = broaden (to make or become wider)

🎵Rhyme

golden
olden
beholden

🔗Collocations

broaden one's horizons
broaden the scope
broaden understanding
broaden appeal
broaden access
broaden knowledge

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My mom tried to broaden my taste by forcing me to eat broccoli, but it only broadened my creativity in hiding vegetables.”

“Reading diverse books can broaden your perspective significantly.”

“The company wants to broaden its customer base by targeting younger demographics.”

“His smile broadened when he saw the surprise party.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.