Broaden Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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broaden
broad-en
Definitions
expand your knowledge
To make or become more wide, extensive, or comprehensive.
Synonyms
enlarge, expand, extend, widen.
Examples of usage
- He wants to broaden his knowledge on different cultures.
- She decided to broaden her horizons and travel the world.
- The company aims to broaden its market reach.
increase the range of something
To increase the range or scope of something.
Synonyms
broaden out, diversify, expand, extend.
Examples of usage
- They plan to broaden the product line by introducing new items.
- We need to broaden our options and consider all possibilities.
- The goal is to broaden access to education for all students.
Translations
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Quick facts about “broaden”
Broaden is a 2-syllable verb (broad-en). It is pronounced /ˈbɹɔdən/ in American English and /bɹˈɔːdən/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 8 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #12,271 among the most common English words.
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“broaden” in science
- In education, broadening refers to interdisciplinary learning, linking various fields such as science, art, and history.
- Cognitive psychology studies show that broadening experiences can enhance problem-solving skills and creativity.
- Research indicates that exposure to diverse cultures can broaden one's worldview and increase empathy.
“broaden” in literature
- Authors often use the concept of broadening to develop themes of growth and expanding perspectives in characters.
- Many classic coming-of-age stories focus on protagonists who broaden their understanding of the world around them.
- Works such as 'To Kill a Mockingbird' explore societal and moral broadenings as characters grapple with complex issues.
“broaden” in pop culture
- In modern media, broadening often reflects a character's 'journey'—whether physical, emotional, or intellectual.
- Reality shows often portray contestants broadening their skills and personal growth throughout the series.
- Social movements frequently call for broadening acceptance and recognition of diversity in communities.
“broaden” in technology
- The expansion of the internet has broadened access to information, making learning opportunities more widespread.
- Digital tools and platforms are designed to help users broaden their skills, with online courses available in countless subjects.
- Artificial intelligence applications are being developed to broaden the ways we interact with data and knowledge.
Origin of 'broaden'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old English 'brád', meaning 'broad' or 'wide'.
- In Middle English, it evolved to 'broden', retaining its meaning related to width and expansion.
- The '-en' at the end suggests the action of making something broader.
The word 'broaden' originated from the Middle English word 'broden,' which is a variant of 'broad.' It first appeared in the 16th century. The prefix 'broad-' indicates the idea of making something wider or more extensive. Over time, 'broaden' has been used to describe the action of expanding or increasing the scope or range of something.
See also: broad, broadband, broadcast, broadcaster, broadened, broadening, broadly.