I. ˈbrȯd adjective
Etymology: Middle English brood, from Old English brād; akin to Old High German breit broad
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : having ample extent from side to side or between limits
broad shoulders
b. : having a specified extension from side to side
made the path 10 feet broad
2. : extending far and wide : spacious
the broad plains
3.
a. : open , full
broad daylight
b. : plain , obvious
a broad hint
4. : dialectal especially in pronunciation
5. : marked by lack of restraint, delicacy, or subtlety:
a. obsolete : outspoken
b. : coarse , risque
broad humor
6. of a vowel : open — used specifically of a pronounced as in father
7.
a. : liberal , tolerant
broad views
b. : widely applicable or applied : general
a broad rule
8. : relating to the main or essential points
broad outlines
• broad·ly adverb
• broad·ness noun
Synonyms:
broad , wide , deep mean having horizontal extent. broad and wide apply to a surface measured or viewed from side to side
a broad avenue
wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned
rugs eight feet wide
or applied to unfilled space between limits
a wide doorway
broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered
broad shoulders
deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point
a deep cupboard
deep woods
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
: in a broad manner : fully
broad awake
III. noun
Date: 1659
1. British : an expansion of a river — often used in plural
2. often offensive : woman