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Glite Dictionary
↔️ To make broader 💻 To increase range
to widen

to widen

85 2.5
To make something have more space from one side to the other so it fits or moves more easily
  • verb
  • /ˈwaɪdən/
translation icon : ampliar
  • As the project progressed, they had to widen the scope of their research.
  • widen the gap
  • widen the disparity
  • widen the scope

And Anselm is going to widen our scope.

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Examples

  • The construction team plans to widen the bridge for larger vehicles.

  • The Assad regime's brutal response to the revolt has only widened the circle of rebellion.

    Academic text (2013)

  • And I had to widen the rear end.

  • Blood vessels widen so blood can flow to the penis.

    Hannah (Sex & Relationships Education)

  • And Anselm is going to widen our scope.

    Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

  • The scope of the crime has widened since we last spoke.

    Wicked Little Letters (2024)

  • We widened the axles an inch on each side.

    Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend (2022)

  • Police have widened their search for the missing teenager, Meredith Levov, for her involvement in the bombing of a post office.

    American Pastoral (2016)

  • Subsequent governmental efforts focused on widening the congested beachfronts of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon.

    Academic text (2012)

  • They decided to widen the street to accommodate more traffic.

Synonyms

to increase
vsto widen
∞ 1.0

To make something larger or more in number

is more specific to changing horizontal dimension or range
to grow
vsto widen
∞ 1.0

Become larger or more physically mature

refers to deliberate or immediate increase in width rather than natural growth
to expand
vsto widen
805 2.5

To grow larger in size, amount, or importance

is used more for increasing physical dimensions rather than gradual growth
to extend
vsto widen
680 3.2

To make something reach farther, such as more places or people

emphasizes duration or reach rather than changing physical width
to stretch
vsto widen
285 1.0

Make something longer or wider by pulling it

covers general widening or scope increase, not only by pulling
to broaden
vsto widen
92 3.9

To make or become wider and include more things

applies more to changing physical size rather than scope
to enlarge
vsto widen
70 3.0

To make something bigger in size or amount

is used more for increasing width or breadth than general growth
to dilate
vsto widen
35 6.1

To become wider or more open, as when pupils open in the dark

is broader and covers both size and scope not only opening
to let out
vsto widen
8 3.8

Make clothing larger by sewing so it fits more comfortably

applies to many objects and situations beyond clothing adjustments

Antonyms

to reduce
∞ 1.6

To make something smaller in amount, size, or number

to narrow
65 2.1

Become less wide or make something less wide

How Wide

to enlarge
70 3.0
to expand
805 2.5
to widen
85 2.5
to broaden
92 3.9
to stretch
285 1.0

Surface Forms

widen infinitive
widened past
widened past participle
widening present participle
widens third person singular

Morphology

widen = wide (transparent) = wide + en

The verb 'widen' is transparently derived from the adjective 'wide' by adding the suffix '-en', indicating the action of making something wide.

Etymology

The word widen comes from the simple adjective wide meaning 'large from side to side' and the verb ending -en meaning 'make'. So to widen something is to 'make it wider', which is why we use it for making clothes, roads, or openings bigger.