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

However, a narrow gap between the two Democratic candidates has widened since election day. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

In addition to its one-off paintwork, the vehicle was outfitted with a matching red-leather interior—dubbed Silver Arrow—with contrasting yellow stitching, and features widened front seats and special Alutex aluminum trim as opposed to carbon fiber. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026

The same challenge applies overnight, when fewer venues are quoting and spreads can widen. — Adam Cohn, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

As the days until payment is due tick grimly by, Irwin and Hester grow increasingly fretful and angry, and their widening divisions wrench the family apart, to intimately catastrophic effect. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 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