broad

1 of 3

adjective

ˈbrȯd 

broader; broadest

1

a

: having ample extent from side to side or between limits

broad shoulders

… one of the broadest estuaries of any river in America.

—William Styron

b

: having a specified extension from side to side

made the path 10 feet broad

2

: extending far and wide : spacious

the broad plains

3

: relating to the main or essential points

broad outlines

4

a

: open, full

a crime committed in broad daylight

b

: plain, obvious

a broad hint

5

linguistics : dialectal especially in pronunciation

a broad northern accent

6

a

: liberal, tolerant

broad views

b

: widely applicable or applied : general

a broad rule

the broader sense of the word

c

: wide in range or amount

This store has a broader selection of items.

a politician with broad [=widespread] appeal

There is broad agreement [=many people agree] that these changes are needed.

7

of a vowel : open

—used specifically of a pronounced as in father

8

: marked by lack of restraint, delicacy, or subtlety:

a

: coarse, risqué

broad humor

b

obsolete : outspoken

… from broad words … Macduff lives in disgrace.

—Shakespeare

broadly adverb

He smiled broadly.

broadness noun

the broadness of the law's scope

broad

2 of 3

adverb

: in a broad (see broad entry 1 sense 4a) manner : fully

broad awake

broad

3 of 3

noun

1

slang, often offensive : woman

2

British : an expansion of a river

—often used in plural

Synonyms

Adjective

• fat
• thick
• wide

Choose the Right Synonym for broad

broad, wide, deep mean having horizontal extent.

broad and wide apply to a surface measured or viewed from side to side.

a broad avenue

wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned

rugs eight feet wide

or applied to unfilled space between limits.

a wide doorway

broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard

deep woods

Examples of broad in a Sentence

Adjective

The store has a broad selection of coats.

There was broad agreement on the new government.

There are three broad categories of industry in the region: computers, finance, and education.

the broad outlines of a problem

discusses “family” in its broadest sense

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This family-friendly approach — bright, broad, unironic — aligns with the musical’s legacy as a VHS favorite, but even kids could use help knowing where to look. —Naveen Kumar, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024

As Billboard prepares to launch the physical edition of Billboard Korea, a new alliance with NAVER Pay that should unlock opportunities for its readers and the broader K-pop space. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2024

Mullaney said the judge ruled against the group because the lawsuit did not challenge fees on a specific project, but the broader program. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2024

The electric version of Atlas will be stronger, with a broader range of motion than any of our previous generations. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Apr. 2024

The chief justice oversees the state’s court system and has broad powers over administrative matters. —Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024

Take-Two Interactive will be cutting the company’s workforce by 5 percent as part of a broader cost-reduction plan. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024

And by some strange twist of fate, so much of that game rests on the broad shoulders of Kuminga. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

The attacks on Glazer also have a silencing effect on our industry, contributing to a broader climate of suppression of free speech and dissent, the very qualities our field should cherish. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English brood, from Old English brād; akin to Old High German breit broad

Adverb

Middle English broode, from Old English brāde, adverbial derivative of brād broad entry 1

Noun

Middle English brood, noun derivative of brood broad entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing broad

• a broad spectrum
• broad arrow
• broad-based
• broad bean
• broad-brush
• broad-gauge
• broad-gauged
• broad jump
• broad-leafed
• broad-leaved
• broad-minded
• broad-spectrum
• in broad daylight

Kids Definition

broad

adjective

ˈbrȯd

1

: not narrow : wide

a broad stripe

2

: extending far and wide : spacious

broad prairies

3

: full entry 1 sense 2c

broad daylight

4

: very clear : obvious

a broad hint

5

: not limited : large in range or amount

a broad choice of subjects

education in its broadest sense

6

: not covering the fine points : general

broad outlines of a problem

7

: pronounced like the a in father

broadly adverb

broadness noun

Geographical Definition

Broad

geographical name

ˈbrȯd 

1

river 220 miles (354 kilometers) long in North Carolina and South Carolina see saluda

2

river 70 miles (113 kilometers) long in southern South Carolina flowing into the Atlantic