broaden

verb

broad·​en ˈbrȯ-dᵊn 

broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ 

ˈbrȯ-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make broader

intransitive verb

: to become broad

Examples of broaden in a Sentence

They need to broaden their understanding of other cultures.

The police have broadened the scope of the investigation.

Her smile broadened when I told her the good news.

The investigation has broadened to include the mayor's staff.

His interests broadened to include art and music, not just sports.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is also persistent speculation that Gazoo Racing could eventually broaden beyond sports cars into high-performance SUVs and trucks, following a path similar to AMG and BMW M. — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Apollo records return The release also broadens NASA‘s contribution to the public archive. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Draft a pitch, share a perspective, or explain an idea that broadens the conversation. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026

With fewer adult children often available to take on those responsibilities, families may need to discuss expectations earlier and broaden the circle of caregivers to include friends and other trusted people, not just relatives. — Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing broaden

• broaden one's horizons/mind

Rhymes for broaden

• codon
• sodden
• trodden
• woden
• anticodon
• downtrodden
• gliadin
• untrodden
• prekindergarten

Kids Definition

broaden

verb

broad·​en ˈbrȯd-ᵊn 

broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become broad or broader

broaden your horizons