widen

[ wahyd-n ]

/ ˈwaɪd n /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR widen ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

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

Nearby words

widebody, widely, wideman, widemouth blindcat, widemouthed, widen, widescreen, widespread, widgeon, widget, widgie

Origin of widen

First recorded in 1600–10; wide + -en¹

Related formswid·en·er, nounre·wid·en, verbun·wid·ened, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for widen

And these new aficionados of global cool are poised to widen their impact.
From Public Enemy to Power Broker: Hip-Hop’s the New Global Pop Culture|Lauren DeLisa Coleman|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now widen the circle to religious organizations: denominations, for example.
Why Progressives Just Woke Up and Killed ENDA|Jay Michaelson|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Administration officials favorite phrase these days is that, ‘you have to widen the aperture,’” says Bockenfeld.
Obama To Cut Middle East Democracy Programs|Jamie Dettmer|January 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A historic settlement will grant Netanyahu prestige and widen Israeli leverage for a possible preemptive strike.
A Very Israeli Linkage: Iran's Bomb and Peace With the Palestinians|Nadav Eyal|September 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST

A historic settlement would grant Netanyahu prestige and widen Israeli leverage for a possible preemptive strike.
A Very Israeli Linkage: Iran's Nuclear Bomb and Peace With Palestine|Nadav Eyal|September 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As the strip of shining red mud began to widen between the grasses and the water's edge, the bustle and confusion increased.
Earth's Enigmas|Charles G. D. Roberts
So great is the throng, that there is a project now on foot to widen it.
Captains of Industry|James Parton
To illustrate, confirm, or widen what is already held a truth is one thing; to serve as its sole sufficient witness is another.
The Philosophy of Natural Theology|William Jackson
The experience of it tends to widen and diversify the thinking of men.
A Rambler's lease|Bradford Torrey
"I should have been frightened stiff," exclaimed Kate, whose eyes were beginning to widen.
The Tyranny of the Dark|Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for widen

widen

/ (ˈwaɪdən) /

verb

to make or become wide or wider

Derived Formswidener, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for widen

widen

c.1600, from wide + -en (1). Related: Widened; widening.

widen

verb (used with or without object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of widen

Examples from the Web for widen

British Dictionary definitions for widen

widen

verb

Word Origin and History for widen

widen