broad
♦♦ broad /br'ɔːd/ (broader broadest)
1 [ADJ]
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.
≠ narrow
2 [ADJ] 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.
● broadly [ADV]
Charles grinned broadly.
3 [ADJ] 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.
= wide
≠ narrow
● broadly [ADV] ADV with v
This gives children a more broadly based education.
4 [ADJ] 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.
= general
≠ narrow
● broadly [ADV] ADV with v
We define education very broadly and students can study any aspect of its consequences for society.
5 [ADJ] 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.
= widespread
≠ limited
● broadly [ADV] ADV with v
The new law has been broadly welcomed by road safety organisations.
6 [ADJ] 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.
= general
● broadly [ADV] 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] ADJ n
A broad hint is a very obvious hint.
They've been giving broad hints about what to expect.
≠ subtle
● broadly [ADV]
He hinted broadly that he would like to come.
8 [ADJ]
A broad accent is strong and noticeable.
...a Briton who spoke in a broad Yorkshire accent.
9
in broad daylight: see daylight
see also broadlybroad bean (broad beans)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Broad beans are flat round beans that are light green in colour and are eaten as a vegetable. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use fava beans)
1 [ADJ]
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.
≠ narrow
2 [ADJ] 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.
● broadly [ADV]
Charles grinned broadly.
3 [ADJ] 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.
= wide
≠ narrow
● broadly [ADV] ADV with v
This gives children a more broadly based education.
4 [ADJ] 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.
= general
≠ narrow
● broadly [ADV] ADV with v
We define education very broadly and students can study any aspect of its consequences for society.
5 [ADJ] 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.
= widespread
≠ limited
● broadly [ADV] ADV with v
The new law has been broadly welcomed by road safety organisations.
6 [ADJ] 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.
= general
● broadly [ADV] 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] ADJ n
A broad hint is a very obvious hint.
They've been giving broad hints about what to expect.
≠ subtle
● broadly [ADV]
He hinted broadly that he would like to come.
8 [ADJ]
A broad accent is strong and noticeable.
...a Briton who spoke in a broad Yorkshire accent.
9
in broad daylight: see daylight
see also broadlybroad bean (broad beans)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Broad beans are flat round beans that are light green in colour and are eaten as a vegetable. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use fava beans)