Widen: meaning, definitions and examples

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widen

[ ˈwaɪdən ]

^{Context #1}

increase in size or scope

To make or become wider or larger; to increase in size or extent.

Synonyms

broaden, enlarge, expand

Examples of usage

The road was widened to accommodate more traffic.
She widened her eyes in surprise.
The gap between the two buildings widened over time.

^{Context #2}

make more extensive

To become or make more extensive or comprehensive.

Synonyms

broaden, broaden, extend

Examples of usage

The investigation widened to include more suspects.
He widened his search to find a solution.

^{Context #3}

distance from side to side

The distance from one side to the other in a straight line or side to side.

Synonyms

breadth, span, width

Examples of usage

The widen of the river was measured by the engineers.
The widen of the bridge allowed for two lanes of traffic.

Translations

Translations of the word "widen" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alargar

🇮🇳 फैलाना (phailana)

🇩🇪 erweitern

🇮🇩 memperluas

🇺🇦 розширювати

🇵🇱 poszerzać

🇯🇵 広げる (hirogeru)

🇫🇷 élargir

🇪🇸 ensanchar

🇹🇷 genişletmek

🇰🇷 넓히다 (neolpida)

🇸🇦 يوسع (yuwassae)

🇨🇿 rozšířit

🇸🇰 rozšíriť

🇨🇳 扩展 (kuòzhǎn)

🇸🇮 razširiti

🇮🇸 víkka

🇰🇿 кеңейту (keñeytu)

🇬🇪 გაფართოება (gafart'oeba)

🇦🇿 genişləndirmək

🇲🇽 ensanchar

Word origin

The word 'widen' originated from the combination of the Middle English 'widnen' with the suffix -en, which means 'to cause to be.' The root word 'wide' comes from the Old English 'wīd,' meaning 'broad, extensive.' Over time, the word has evolved to its current usage in the English language to describe the act of increasing in size, scope, or extent.

See also: widely, widening, widespread, width.