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

For pedicures the gap widens further, since salon pedicures often carry a premium over manicures. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

Republican nominee for governor Rick Jackson ventured into deep-blue DeKalb County on Friday for his first campaign event of the general election as the billionaire healthcare executive seeks to widen his audience ahead of November. — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 26 June 2026

Jackson’s presence widens the method beyond Williams. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026

Experts warn inflation risks widening existing wealth gaps, highlighting America's uneven preparedness for economic shocks. — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 26 June 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