widen

verb

wid·​en ˈwī-dᵊn 

widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ 

ˈwī-dᵊn-iŋ

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

widener

ˈwīd-nər 

ˈwī-dᵊn-ər

noun

Examples of widen in a Sentence

The city is going to widen the road.

They plan to widen the investigation.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

They went swimming at a spot where the river widens.

The scope of the investigation has widened.

Recent Examples on the Web

But, unexpectedly, its film version released that same year became a midnight movie phenom, marked by its impromptu audience outbursts and eventually becoming a counter-culture landmark, widening the generational divide even further. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026

Trapping individuals in endless cycles of exclusion and financial hardship squanders potential, reduces tax revenue and widens disparities. —Brian Fabes, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Losses widened to $423 million last quarter, up from $215 million the year before but less than half of the $552 million reported in the previous quarter. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

As for the widening request, it’s being considered. —Desiree Mathurin april 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for widen

• poseidon

Kids Definition

widen

verb

wid·​en ˈwīd-ᵊn 

widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become wide or wider : broaden