widen

[wahyd-n]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become wide or wider; broaden; expand.

widen

/ ˈwaɪdən /

verb

1. to make or become wide or wider

Other Word Forms

• widener noun
• rewiden verb
• unwidened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of widen¹

First recorded in 1600–10; wide + -en ¹

Example Sentences

She said the government should widen the availability of grants to include pensioners and those on middle incomes.

From BBC

Some argue that the answer is, simply, to widen NHS access.

From BBC

But the author of a critical Institute for Fiscal Studies report on education in Wales said more coursework could widen inequalities because it tended to favour children from more advantaged backgrounds.

From BBC

"Maybe we need to use a different term, but the fact is this nut does need to be cracked, because we cannot allow inequality to continue widening," he added.

From BBC

By turning its attention to Kayes, the group is not only widening its footprint but threatening to encircle Bamako.

From BBC

Related Words

• add to www.thesaurus.com
• broaden 
• enlarge 
• expand 
• extend 
• grow 
• increase 
• multiply 
• stretch 
• swell