What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
broaden
Example
Reading books from different genres can broaden your perspective. [broaden: verb]
Example
The company plans to broaden its product line to attract a wider customer base. [broaden: verb]
widen
Example
The road construction project aims to widen the highway to accommodate more traffic. [widen: verb]
Example
The scandal widened the divide between the two political parties. [widened: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Widen is more commonly used than broaden in everyday language, especially in technical or specific contexts. Broaden is more versatile and can be employed in various contexts, including personal development, education, and diversity.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between broaden and widen?
Both broaden and widen can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, widen is more commonly used in technical or specialized fields, which may give it a slightly more formal tone in those contexts.
