Widen: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when making something physically wider or larger in scope. Often applied to roads, gaps, or physical spaces.

• The city plans to widen the road to reduce traffic congestion.
• Can you widen the gap between those two boards?

Commonly used to describe expanding one's horizons, knowledge, or experiences. Often carries a metaphorical meaning.

• Traveling abroad will broaden your understanding of different cultures.
• The seminar aims to broaden professionals' knowledge in the field.

Used for both physical enlargement and extending reach or scope, often related to business, ideas, or territories.

• The company plans to expand its operations to Europe.
• He decided to expand his research to cover more topics.

Typically used when talking about increasing the size of something in a physical or photographic sense.

• They decided to enlarge the photo for the gallery display.
• We need to enlarge the kitchen to make it more functional.

Utilize 'widen' when talking about making something physical or metaphorical broader, often in terms of space or scope. It usually refers to something already wide being made wider.

• They plan to widen the road to reduce traffic congestion.
• You need to widen your perspective to understand this issue fully.

Choose 'broaden' when referring to expanding knowledge, experiences, or horizons. It often implies personal or intellectual growth, and is more abstract compared to 'widen'.

• Traveling helps to broaden my understanding of different cultures.
• She decided to broaden her skills by taking a new course.

Use 'extend' when referring to making something longer in terms of time or space. It often implies lengthening or stretching something to reach further or cover more.

• The company decided to extend the deadline by another week.
• They plan to extend the building to include more office space.

Used when talking about making something broader or increasing its range.

• They plan to widen the road to reduce traffic congestion
• She wants to widen her skill set by taking new courses

Typically used to describe the measurement of something from side to side.

• The width of the table is 2 meters
• They measured the width of the swimming pool
• The width of the fabric is not sufficient for the project

Describes the extent or range of something, especially in an abstract or non-physical sense.

• The breadth of his knowledge is impressive
• The project required a great breadth of expertise across different fields

Refers to the distance or range between two points, or the period of time something lasts.

• The bridge spans the river
• His career spanned four decades
• She has a broad span of control in the company