broaden

broaden — verb

1. to spread out more from side to side, or to make something do this.

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to spread out more from side to side, or to make something do this.

例句

Workers broadened the village road before the rainy season began.

broaden + road (physical object)

Near the bridge, the river broadens and slows after the bend.

intransitive use with a natural feature

同義詞
  • widen

    closest everyday word for increasing physical width

  • expand

    more general; can mean getting bigger in several directions

  • enlarge

    general and slightly more formal; not limited to width

反義詞
  • narrow

    to become or make something less wide

  • tighten

    used for spaces or openings becoming smaller

文法句型

broaden + noun (road, window, shoulders)

something broadens

用法筆記

Often used for things with a clear physical width, such as roads, rivers, windows, or shoulders. Distinguish from sense 2, which is usually about scope, audience, or coverage rather than shape.

常見錯誤

❌They broadened the bridge by ten meters longer.
✅They broadened the bridge by ten meters.
💡'broaden' changes width, not length.

2. to make something reach more people, include more things, or cover a larger area

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make something reach more people, include more things, or cover a larger area.

例句

The museum hopes to broaden its appeal with family tickets this summer.

broaden + appeal

The mayor broadened the safety plan to include small fishing towns.

broaden + plan + to include

同義詞
  • expand

    most general; often about size, activity, or business growth

  • extend

    stresses pushing a limit or reach farther outward

  • widen

    possible figuratively, but usually sounds more concrete

反義詞
  • limit

    to keep range or access small

  • restrict

    to reduce what is included or who can take part

文法句型

broaden + noun (appeal, access, debate, search)

broaden + noun + to include + noun

用法筆記

Object is usually an abstract noun such as appeal, access, market, debate, or search. Common when a plan, service, or activity starts to include more people or more kinds of things.

常見錯誤

❌The sale broadened our customer numbers.
✅The sale broadened our customer base.
💡'broaden' is about range or type, not simply a higher total.

3. to give someone more knowledge, experience, or understanding, or to grow in thes

3.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to give someone more knowledge, experience, or understanding, or to grow in these ways yourself.

例句

Living in Seoul broadened Hana's view of how cities can work.

broaden + a person's view

Reading village history broadened my understanding of the island's past.

broaden + understanding of + topic

同義詞
  • enrich

    stresses adding value or depth to experience

  • deepen

    focuses on stronger understanding of one area, not a wider range

  • open up

    informal; common for new experiences changing how someone thinks

反義詞
  • narrow

    to make ideas or experience less wide in range

  • limit

    to keep knowledge or understanding from growing

文法句型

broaden + noun (knowledge, understanding, view)

something broadens

用法筆記

Common with words like knowledge, understanding, experience, and horizons. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense changes how much a person knows or sees, not how widely a service or activity reaches.

常見錯誤

❌The trip broadened my horizon.
✅The trip broadened my horizons.
💡the fixed expression usually uses the plural 'horizons' for wider experience.