broad

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

Synonyms of broad

• 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

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

Near the end of the play, Majok’s script becomes, like Mann’s score, flatter and broader in its messaging, losing some of its sharpness of observation, and the humor that characterizes Kaysen’s memoir fades. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2026

Beyond oil Tom Wrobel, director, capital consulting, prime services and clearing at Societe Generale, said oil gains are just one part of a much broader macro bonanza powering CTAs' returns in 2026. —Hugh Leask, CNBC, 5 June 2026

Conservationist Douglas Smith, whose work protecting wolves in Yellowstone has informed the brand’s long-standing stewardship initiatives, also addressed attendees, further connecting the gallery’s design narrative to JMM’s broader cultural and philanthropic interests. —Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 4 June 2026

In its 2023 decision, the Supreme Court said nothing stops schools from considering how applicants’ race speaks to broader qualities. —ABC News, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

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

Rhymes for broad

• awed
• baaed
• baud
• bawd
• brod
• clawed
• cod
• flawed
• fraud
• gnawed
• god
• jawed

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