widen

[[t]wa͟ɪd(ə)n[/t]]

widens, widening, widened

1) V-ERG If you widen something or if it widens, it becomes greater in measurement from one side or edge to the other.

[V n] He had an operation last year to widen a heart artery...

The river widens considerably as it begins to turn east.

Syn:

broaden

Derived words:

widening N-UNCOUNT oft N of n

They have ordered the widening of the road where the incident took place.

2) V-ERG If you widen something or if it widens, it becomes greater in range or it affects a larger number of people or things.

[V n] U.S. prosecutors have widened a securities-fraud investigation...

The search for my brother widened...

[V-ing] Newspapers enjoyed a widening circle of readers.

Syn:

extend

3) VERB If your eyes widen, they open more.

His eyes widened as he spoke the words.

4) V-ERG If a difference or gap widens or if something widens it, it becomes greater.

Wage differences in the two areas are widening...

[V to/from/by amount] The US trade deficit widened to $7.59 billion in November.

[V n] ...policies that widen the gap between the rich and the poor.