broad

[[t]brɔ͟ːd[/t]]

♦♦

broader, broadest, broads

1) ADJ-GRADED Something that is broad is wide.

His shoulders were broad and his waist narrow...

The hills rise green and sheer above the broad river.

...a broad expanse of green lawn.

Ant:

narrow

2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A broad smile is one in which your mouth is stretched very wide because you are very pleased or amused.

He greeted them with a wave and a broad smile.

Derived words:

broadly ADV-GRADED

Charles grinned broadly.

3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n You use broad to describe something that includes a large number of different things or people.

A broad range of issues was discussed.

...a broad coalition of workers, peasants, students and middle class professionals.

Syn:

extensive

Ant:

limited

Derived words:

broadly ADV-GRADED ADV with v

This gives children a more broadly based education.

4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n You use broad to describe a word or meaning which covers or refers to a wide range of different things.

The term Wissenschaft has a much broader meaning than the English word `science'.

...restructuring in the broad sense of the word.

Syn:

general

Ant:

narrow

Derived words:

broadly ADV-GRADED ADV with v

We define education very broadly and students can study any aspect of its consequences for society.

5) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n You use broad to describe a feeling or opinion that is shared by many people, or by people of many different kinds.

The agreement won broad support in the US Congress.

...a film with broad appeal.

Syn:

widespread

Ant:

limited

Derived words:

broadly ADV-GRADED ADV with v

The new law has been broadly welcomed by road safety organisations.

6) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A broad description or idea is general rather than detailed.

These documents provided a broad outline of the Society's development...

In broad terms, this means that the closer you live to a school, the more likely it is that your child will get a place there.

Syn:

rough

Ant:

precise

Derived words:

broadly ADV-GRADED ADV with v, ADV with cl/group

There are, broadly speaking, three ways in which this is done...

Broadly, it makes connections between ideas about healing and how they link to plants.

7) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n A broad hint is a very obvious hint.

They've been giving broad hints about what to expect.

Ant:

subtle

Derived words:

broadly ADV

He hinted broadly that he would like to come.

8) ADJ-GRADED A broad accent is strong and noticeable.

...a Briton who spoke in a broad Yorkshire accent.

9) N-COUNT (disapproval) Some men refer to women as broads. This use could cause offence. [AM, INFORMAL]

10) → See also broadly

11) in broad daylight → see daylight