- Main Entry:
- 1broad
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈbrȯd\
- Function:
- adjective
- Etymology:
- Middle English brood, from Old English brād; akin to Old High German breit broad
- Date:
- before 12th century
1 a: having ample extent from side to side or between limits <broad shoulders> 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 a: open, full <broad daylight> b: plain, obvious <a broad hint>4: dialectal especially in pronunciation5: marked by lack of restraint, delicacy, or subtlety: aobsolete : outspoken b: coarse, risqué <broad humor> 6of a vowel : open —used specifically of a pronounced as in father7 a: liberal, tolerant <broad views> b: widely applicable or applied : general <a broad rule>8: relating to the main or essential points <broad outlines>
— broad·ly adverb
— broad·ness noun
synonyms 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>.
