What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dilate
Example
The doctor used eye drops to dilate my pupils for the exam. [dilate: verb]
Example
The medication helped dilate the blood vessels and improve circulation. [dilate: verb]
widen
Example
The construction crew widened the road to accommodate more traffic. [widen: verb]
Example
The disagreement between the two friends only seemed to widen over time. [widen: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Widen is more commonly used than dilate in everyday language. Widen is a more general term that can be used in a variety of contexts, while dilate is more specific and often used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dilate and widen?
While dilate is typically associated with a clinical or technical tone, widen is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
