widen

USAGE SUMMARY

'widen' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use 'widen' to describe an object or area increasing in size, or a knowledge or understanding becoming more extensive. Example sentence: Recent research has widened our understanding of the human brain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"International unity will collapse and the path to conflict will widen".

The Guardian

The gap between rich and poor has continued to widen.

The Economist

December 2006: The Times claimed the investigation could widen to include possible charges on perverting the course of justice, with some individuals suspected of colluding over evidence.

The Guardian

Repeated studies on the makeup of the legal profession have shown that, despite efforts to widen participation, such criticisms are fair.

The Guardian - Opinion

The idea is to open the group up to each other's literary tastes and to widen the reading beyond the tutor's choices.

The Guardian

In recent years councils have shared a graduate in order to widen access to smaller districts which may be unable to afford one on their own.

The Guardian

They are also looking to widen their ethnic appeal.

The Guardian - Film

Indeed, Labour considered adopting it when in power, but dropped it early in 2009 after siding with those in Whitehall who argued plans to widen the definition were "incendiary" and could alienate Muslims, whose support in the counterterrorism effort is crucial.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anwar's conviction could widen those differences and also distract people from the country's religious tensions and economic problems.

The Guardian

Related: As a nurse I don't feel equipped to treat patients with mental health problems The shortage of properly qualified MBCT teachers, and the need to widen access to mindfulness-based interventions for people with long-term conditions, was noted in this year's mindfulness all-party parliamentary group's interim report, Mindful Nation UK.

The Guardian

The group also called on the government to "substantially widen" the "woefully inadequate" availability of MBCT on the NHS for adults with a history of depression on the basis that it "significantly reduces risk of relapse".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widen", consider whether a more specific verb like "expand", "extend", or "broaden" might better convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "widen" solely for simple increases in physical width; consider "expand" or "enlarge" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "widen" is as a verb, indicating the action of making something wider or more extensive. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, such as "widen the gap" or "widen access".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widen" functions primarily as a verb signifying the act of making something broader or more extensive, as supported by Ludwig's examples. It holds a neutral register, frequently appearing in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. Ludwig AI also confirms that it's a correct and usable word in written English. When using "widen", ensure its specific nuance aligns with your intended meaning, potentially considering alternatives like "expand" or "extend" for greater precision. Avoid overuse in purely physical dimensions, where "enlarge" might be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broaden

This term is a direct synonym, often used interchangeably with "widen" to describe expanding the scope or range of something.

extend

This alternative emphasizes the lengthening or stretching aspect of making something wider, either physically or conceptually.

expand

Focuses on increasing the size, volume, or extent of something, similar to "widen" but can also apply to abstract concepts.

increase

This term denotes a general rise in quantity, size, or degree, applicable when "widen" refers to an increase in scope or impact.

enlarge

Implies making something bigger, often physically, but can also refer to expanding the scale or scope of an operation.

magnify

This alternative suggests making something appear larger or more significant, often used in a metaphorical sense.

amplify

Indicates increasing the intensity or impact of something, akin to "widen" when referring to influence or reach.

spread

Emphasizes the action of something expanding or extending over a larger area, relevant when "widen" refers to geographic or conceptual reach.

inflate

Suggests an increase in size or volume, often artificially or beyond normal limits, relevant in contexts of exaggeration or unsustainable growth.

stretch

This term highlights the act of extending or lengthening something, especially to cover a greater area or range.

FAQs

How can I use "widen" in a sentence?

You can use "widen" to describe something becoming broader or more extensive. For example, "The company aims to "widen its market share"".

What can I say instead of "widen"?

Alternatives to "widen" include "broaden", "extend", or "expand", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "widen the scope" or "expand the scope"?

Both "widen the scope" and "expand the scope" are correct, but "expand the scope" might be preferred in more formal contexts.

What's the difference between "widen" and "enlarge"?

"Widen" typically refers to increasing the breadth or extent, while "enlarge" usually means to increase the overall size.