widen
word
Definition
To make something wider or to become wider; to increase the width of something.
Usage & Nuances
Used both transitively ('widen the road') and intransitively ('the road widens'). Common with physical objects and also in expressions like 'widen your perspective'. Often confused with 'broaden', but 'widen' focuses on increasing width.
Spanish: ensanchar - ampliarPortuguese (BR): alargar - ampliarPortuguese (PT): alargar - ampliarChinese (Simplified): 加宽 - 扩大Chinese (Traditional): 加寬 - 擴大Hindi: चौड़ा करना - बढ़ानाArabic: يوسّع - يَعْرِضBengali: প্রসারিত করা - চওড়া করাRussian: расширять - расширятьсяJapanese: 広げる - 広がるVietnamese: mở rộng - làm rộng raKorean: 넓히다 - 넓어지다Turkish: genişletmek - genişlemekUrdu: کشادہ کرنا - پھیلاناIndonesian: memperlebar - melebar
Example Sentences
They need to widen the street for more traffic.
basic
The river widens near the sea.
basic
Her eyes widened in surprise.
basic
We should widen our search to include more options.
natural
The gap between rich and poor is starting to widen.
natural
Just widen the frame a little, and everyone will fit in the photo!
natural