Words / B1

BRORD/brɔːd/

Broad means wide, or covering a large range: a broad river; a broad smile; a broad range of topics. Wide is the closest twin for physical size; wide-ranging is close for topics. Narrow is the opposite. Broadly speaking introduces a general statement. Broadcast is a different word (TV/radio). Do not write “a broad knowledge” as often as a broad range of knowledge — range collocates more naturally.

Meaning

Wide, or including a large number of people or things.

Examples

• “The river is very broad at this point.”
• “The course offers a broad range of optional modules.”
• “Broadly speaking, the results support the first theory.”

Good to know

a broad range / smile / river. Opposite: narrow. Physical twin: wide. Phrase: broadly speaking. Not broadcast.

Near in meaning

wide

New