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 pronunciation
5 : marked by lack of restraint, delicacy, or subtlety: a obsolete : outspoken b : coarse, risqué <broad humor>
6 of a vowel : open —used specifically of a pronounced as in father
7 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>.