What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dilated
Example
The doctor used a special light to check if my pupils were dilated. [dilated: adjective]
Example
The medication caused my blood vessels to dilate, which lowered my blood pressure. [dilate: verb]
widen
Example
The city council decided to widen the highway to reduce traffic congestion. [widen: verb]
Example
Let's widen the scope of our research to include more diverse perspectives. [widen: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Widen is more commonly used than dilated in everyday language, as it has a broader range of applications. Dilated is more specialized and is primarily used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dilated and widen?
Dilated is more formal than widen, as it is primarily used in technical or medical contexts. Widen is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
