What does "widen" mean?
To become wide or wider.
Widen
/ˈwaɪdn̩/ name, verb
name, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To become wide or wider.
- Grammar: widen is listed as name, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: broaden, extend, accrue, accumulate.
- Useful contrasts: delicate edging, equal gaps, narrow aim.
- Usage evidence: Television helps us widen our knowledge.
How to use "widen"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "widen" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "widen" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "widen" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "widen" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "widen" is acting as name, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "broaden" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "widen", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To become wide or wider. intransitive
"His eyes widened as her negligee fell to the floor."
- 2 become broader or wider or more extensive wordnet
- 3 To make wide or wider. transitive
"But he still saw his side produce a rousing display which owed much to their lauded prowess from set-pieces, despite Uefa regulations meaning the pitch had to be widened and, in the process, the run-up area for Delap's long throws reduced."
- 4 make wider wordnet
- 5 To let out clothes to a larger size. transitive
"She widened his trousers for him."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 make (clothes) larger wordnet
- 7 To broaden or extend in scope or range. transitive
"The police widened their enquiries."
- 8 extend in scope or range or area wordnet
- 9 To convert to a data type that can hold a larger number of distinct values. transitive
"to widen a short variable to an int variable"
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname from Swedish.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
delicate edgingequal gapsnarrow aimnarrow history
Example
"Television helps us widen our knowledge."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "widen"?
Common synonyms include: broaden, extend, accrue, accumulate, add to, advance.
How do you use "widen" in a sentence?
Television helps us widen our knowledge.
How do you pronounce "widen"?
Pronounced /ˈwaɪdn̩/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
PIE word *dwóh₁ From wide + -en (verbal suffix).
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Swedish Widén.