widen
WYDN
Widen (verb) means to become wider. Example: “Her eyes widened in surprise.”
verb
1
To become wider.
"Her eyes widened in surprise."
"The road widens just past the bridge."
2
To make something wider or broader.
"The council plans to widen the motorway next year."
"The new policy will widen access to healthcare."
How to use widen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make or become wider, either physically or in scope.
Common pairings
widen the gap
widen access
eyes widen
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- widens
- Past tense
- widened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her eyes _____ in surprise.
Etymology
From wide + the verb-forming suffix -en.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for widen
See all rhymes for widen →Frequently asked questions
What does “widen” mean?
The word “widen” means to become wider. In plain terms, to make or become wider, either physically or in scope.
How do you pronounce “widen”?
“Widen” is pronounced WYDN (/ˈwaɪdn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “widen” in a sentence?
Here is “widen” used in a sentence: “Her eyes widened in surprise.”
What is another word for “widen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “widen” include breadthen, broaden, enwiden, thicken and widthen.
What is the opposite of “widen”?
The opposite of “widen” — its antonyms — are lengthen, shorten and straiten.
What part of speech is “widen”?
“Widen” is a verb.
Is “widen” a common word?
“Widen” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “widen” have?
“Widen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to become wider.
