widen

wid·en

verb \ˈwī-d^ən\

wid·enedwid·en·ing\ˈwīd-niŋ, ˈwī-d^ən-iŋ\

Definition of WIDEN

transitive verb

: to increase the width, scope, or extent of <widen a road> <widen an investigation>

intransitive verb

: to become wide or wider <a widening gap>

— wid·en·er \ˈwīd-nər, ˈwī-d^ən-ər\ noun

Examples of WIDEN

1. The city is going to widen the road.
2. They plan to widen the investigation.
3. Her eyes widened in surprise.
4. They went swimming at a spot where the river widens.
5. The scope of the investigation has widened.

First Known Use of WIDEN

1640

Rhymes with WIDEN

Haydn, Leiden, Sidon