Explanation at your level:
Broad means wide. A broad road is a very wide road. You can use it to talk about things that are big from side to side.
When you say something is broad, you mean it has a lot of width. We also use it to talk about many different things, like a broad menu at a restaurant.
At this level, you can use broad to describe abstract concepts. For example, a broad education means you study many subjects. It is a very useful word for describing variety.
Broad is often used in formal contexts to describe scope. You might hear about a broad agreement or a broad category. It suggests a lack of narrowness in thinking or physical space.
In advanced English, broad implies a comprehensive nature. It can describe a broad interpretation of a law or a broad spectrum of political views. It emphasizes inclusivity and range.
At the mastery level, broad can carry nuances of being general or sweeping. It is frequently used in critical analysis to suggest that an argument covers too much ground or lacks specific focus, such as a broad generalization.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Broad means wide.
- It describes physical size.
- It describes abstract range.
- It is a versatile adjective.
When we use the word broad, we are usually talking about scale. Imagine standing in front of a broad river; you can see that it stretches out quite a distance from one bank to the other.
Beyond just physical space, broad is a fantastic word to describe ideas. If someone has a broad knowledge of history, they know about many different time periods and cultures, not just one small slice.
The word broad comes from the Old English word brād. It has deep roots in Germanic languages, sharing ancestors with the Dutch word breed and the German breit.
Historically, it was used to describe physical width, like a broad field or a broad shoulder. Over centuries, the meaning expanded into the abstract, allowing us to talk about broad daylight or a broad smile.
You will hear broad used in many professional settings. We often talk about a broad range of options or a broad consensus among a group of people.
In casual conversation, we might say someone has a broad grin. It is a versatile adjective that fits well in both academic papers and friendly chats.
Idioms make language colorful! In broad daylight means something happened openly during the day. A broad brush refers to describing something generally without specific details.
Other fun ones include broad-minded, meaning someone is open to new ideas, and broad as it is long, which means two things are essentially the same.
Broad is a simple adjective. It does not change form for plural nouns. In the UK, the IPA is /brɔːd/, while in the US, it is /brɔd/.
It rhymes with words like awed, flawed, and sawed. Remember that the 'a' sound is long and deep.
Fun Fact
It has remained remarkably stable in spelling for over a thousand years.
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'o' sound.
Slightly shorter 'o'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'bread'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Shortening the 'o' too much
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The broad door.
Examples by Level
The river is broad.
The water is wide.
Adjective after verb.
The street is very broad.
She has a broad smile.
The box is broad.
He has broad shoulders.
The path is broad.
They have a broad garden.
The room is broad.
The table is broad.
We have a broad range of books.
He has a broad knowledge of art.
The policy has broad support.
She gave a broad overview.
They have broad interests.
The topic is quite broad.
He has a broad accent.
The plan covers a broad area.
There is a broad consensus on this.
The study covers a broad spectrum.
He made a broad generalization.
The company has a broad appeal.
We need a broad strategy.
The definition is quite broad.
She has a broad outlook.
The scope is broad.
The law is open to broad interpretation.
He took a broad approach to the problem.
The research has broad implications.
They reached a broad agreement.
The show has a broad demographic.
The concept is broad in scope.
The analysis is broad.
She has a broad vision.
The broad strokes of the plan are clear.
His broad erudition was impressive.
The broad daylight revealed the truth.
The project has broad ramifications.
She painted with broad gestures.
The broad sweep of history is fascinating.
The broad consensus was challenged.
His broad humor is popular.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"in broad daylight"
publicly and openly
The crime occurred in broad daylight.
neutral"broad-minded"
tolerant of different views
She is very broad-minded.
neutral"broad as it is long"
no difference between options
It is six of one, broad as it is long.
informal"paint with a broad brush"
generalize too much
Don't paint all teenagers with a broad brush.
neutral"broad in the beam"
having wide hips
The boat is a bit broad in the beam.
humorousEasily Confused
similar meaning
wide is more common for physical space
wide road vs broad range
adverb form
use for actions
broadly speaking
noun form
noun vs adjective
the breadth of the river
verb form
action vs description
broaden your horizons
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + broad
The path is broad.
Broad + noun
A broad range of topics.
Broadly + speaking
Broadly speaking, it is true.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Broadly is an adverb.
Use the adjective form.
Broad is an adjective, not a noun.
Adjective needed for noun.
One-syllable adjectives take -er.
Tips
When to use
Use it when you want to emphasize range.
Adjective usage
Always place it before the noun.
Did you know?
It comes from Old English.
Study smart
Learn 'breadth' at the same time.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Broad sounds like 'board'—a board is usually wide.
Visual Association
A wide, open field.
Word Web
Challenge
Use 'broad' in three sentences today.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: wide, flat
Cultural Context
None, generally a neutral term.
Commonly used in both casual and formal business English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Academic
- broad overview
- broad scope
- broad interpretation
Daily life
- broad smile
- broad street
- broad daylight
Conversation Starters
"Do you have a broad range of hobbies?"
"Do you think broad-mindedness is important?"
"What is a broad topic you enjoy?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a broad view you have seen.
How can you broaden your knowledge?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, they are mostly interchangeable.
Yes, as an adverb.
Breadth.
It is neutral.
Yes, broad-shouldered.
No, it means wide.
No, but 'broaden' is.
Like 'saw' with a 'br' at the start.
Test Yourself
The table is very ___.
Broad describes width.
Which means wide?
Broad is a synonym for wide.
Broad can describe an idea.
Yes, a broad range of ideas.
Word
Meaning
They are synonyms.
Subject-verb-object order.
Score: /5
Summary
Broad is a powerful word to describe anything that covers a lot of space or ideas.
- Broad means wide.
- It describes physical size.
- It describes abstract range.
- It is a versatile adjective.
When to use
Use it when you want to emphasize range.
Adjective usage
Always place it before the noun.
Did you know?
It comes from Old English.
Study smart
Learn 'breadth' at the same time.
Example
He had a broad smile on his face after hearing the good news.
Related Content
See it in Videos
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More Other words
abate
C1To become less intense, active, or severe, or to reduce the amount or degree of something. It is most commonly used to describe the subsiding of natural phenomena, emotions, or legal nuisances.
abcarndom
C1To intentionally deviate from a fixed sequence or established pattern in favor of a randomized or non-linear approach. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to describe the process of breaking a structured flow to achieve a more varied result.
abcenthood
C1The state, condition, or period of being absent, particularly in a role where one's presence is expected or required. It often refers to a prolonged or systemic lack of participation in a social, parental, or professional capacity.
abcitless
C1A noun referring to the state of being devoid of essential logical progression or a fundamental missing component within a theoretical framework. It describes a specific type of structural absence that renders a system or argument incomplete.
abcognacy
C1The state of being unaware or lacking knowledge about a specific subject, situation, or fact. It describes a condition of non-recognition or a gap in cognitive awareness, often used in technical or specialized academic contexts.
abdocion
C1Describing a movement, force, or logical process that leads away from a central axis or established standard. It is primarily used in specialized technical contexts to describe muscles pulling a limb away from the body or ideas that diverge from a main thesis.
abdocly
C1Describing something that is tucked away, recessed, or occurring in a hidden manner that is not immediately visible to the observer. It is primarily used in technical or academic contexts to denote structural elements or biological processes that are concealed within a larger system.
aberration
B2A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome. It refers to a temporary change or a deviation from the standard path or rule.
abfacible
C1To systematically strip or remove the external surface or facade of a structure or material for analysis, restoration, or cleaning. It specifically refers to the technical act of uncovering underlying layers while preserving the integrity of the core material.
abfactency
C1Describing a quality or state of being fundamentally disconnected from empirical facts or objective reality. It is typically used to characterize arguments or theories that are logically consistent within themselves but have no basis in actual evidence. This term highlights a sophisticated departure from what is observable in favor of what is purely speculative.
