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Glite Dictionary
breadthwise

breadthwise

6.7
Across the width of something rather than along its length
  • adverb
  • /ˈbrɛdθˌwaɪz/
translation icon : en sentido ancho
  • Fold the paper breadthwise before slicing it into strips.

Examples

  • The fabric was cut breadthwise to ensure the pattern matched.

  • Lay the plank breadthwise across the beams for added stability.

  • The fabric was cut breadthwise to ensure a better fit.

  • We need to place the table breadthwise in the room.

  • Fold the paper breadthwise to create a shorter strip for your project.

  • The carpenter positioned the board breadthwise over the support beams for even weight distribution.

  • She arranged the pictures breadthwise along the wall to maximize the available space.

Synonyms

across
vsbreadthwise
295 1.0

From one side of something to the other side

specifies crossing the width rather than any side to side movement
laterally
vsbreadthwise
8 5.0

To the side, moving in a sideways way

means crossing the width rather than merely moving toward a side
transversely
vsbreadthwise
1 6.7

In a way that goes across something at a right angle to its main direction

focuses on crossing the width rather than orientation to main axis
breadthways
vsbreadthwise
  • Archaic
8.1

Across the width of something from one short side to the other

is the same meaning but is an alternative adverb form
broadwise
vsbreadthwise
  • Archaic
8.6

Across the wide side of something rather than along its length

is the same meaning but is a less common variant form
crosswise
vsbreadthwise
4.1

Across something instead of along it, sometimes meaning wrong or not as planned

is a neutral across direction focused on width not wrongness

Surface Forms

breadthwise positive

Morphology

breadthwise = breadth (transparent) = breadth + wise

The adverb is formed by adding the productive suffix '-wise' to 'breadth', yielding 'in the direction of the width', which a typical B1 learner can infer.

Etymology

Breadthwise comes from breadth ('width' or how wide something is) plus the little ending -wise ('in the way of'), like the similar word lengthwise. So breadthwise simply means 'across the width' of something, which is why you fold paper or lay a board breadthwise to go from one side to the other.