broad
broad — adjective
1. spreading widely across an area, with a large width.
spreading widely across an area, with a large width.
The river was so broad that we could not see the far bank.
be + broad for great physical width
A broad wooden table filled most of the small dining room.
broad + noun for wide surfaces
From the hill, Priya saw a broad green valley below.
The horse had a broad back and powerful legs.
Two broad stone steps led up to the village church.
文法句型
broad + noun
be + broad
用法筆記
Common with nouns that suggest a large surface or span, such as river, table, shoulders, back, and valley. Compared with 'wide', this word often gives a stronger picture of spread or openness.
2. placed after a measurement to give an object's width.
placed after a measurement to give an object's width.
The path is only two meters broad after the fence was moved.
be + number + broad for measurements
Each shelf was fifty centimeters broad, so the boxes fit.
The kitchen window is less than a meter broad.
At its narrow end, the bridge was just three feet broad.
文法句型
[number] + broad
be + [number] + broad
用法筆記
Used after a measurement, especially in descriptions of size. In everyday speech, many people choose 'wide' instead, but 'broad' still appears in writing and formal description.
常見錯誤
3. covering many different things, or dealing only with the main points.
covering many different things, or dealing only with the main points.
The course gives a broad introduction to modern African history.
broad + introduction / overview / outline
The minister outlined broad policy areas for housing, schools, and public transport.
The report offers a broad picture of housing problems in Taipei.
At dinner, they had a broad discussion about work, art, and travel.
The teacher gave broad advice instead of checking each sentence.
- general
focuses on the main idea rather than details
- wide-ranging
emphasizes variety and spread across many topics
- overall
often used for summaries or final judgments
文法句型
broad + noun
用法筆記
Common with nouns like range, view, outline, picture, agreement, and support. Distinguish from sense 1: here the idea is range or lack of detail, not physical width.
常見錯誤
4. describing an accent that is very strong, so people can quickly tell the speaker
describing an accent that is very strong, so people can quickly tell the speaker's region.
Even on television, Yusuf kept his broad Glasgow accent.
broad accent = strongly regional speech
The farmer's broad accent was hard for city visitors to follow.
Rina softened her broad accent during the job interview.
That broad accent gave away the town where the caller grew up.
文法句型
broad + accent
broad + dialect
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'accent' or 'dialect'. It does not mean pleasant or deep speech; it means speech that sounds strongly local.
常見錯誤
5. describing humour that is direct, easy to get, and often a little rude or sexual
describing humour that is direct, easy to get, and often a little rude or sexual.
The comic opened with broad jokes about dating apps and bad kisses.
broad jokes = obvious, often rude comedy
Grandma rolled her eyes at the film's broad bathroom humor.
The play mixes clever lines with broad jokes for younger viewers.
That broad joke made half the table laugh and half groan.
The show used broad humor to keep the holiday crowd happy.
文法句型
broad + joke
broad + humor
broad + comedy
用法筆記
Usually modifies words like joke, humour, comedy, or laugh. It often suggests low subtlety and may also suggest sexual or body-based comedy.
6. used for a hint that is so clear it almost says the thing directly.
used for a hint that is so clear it almost says the thing directly.
Mina dropped a broad hint about wanting tickets for Friday's concert.
collocation: broad hint
Dad gave a broad hint that the dishes still needed washing.
give a broad hint + that-clause
The email contained a broad hint about who would lead the team.
With one broad hint, the coach made everyone pack faster.
文法句型
broad + hint
give + a broad hint
用法筆記
Most often found in the phrase 'broad hint'. Distinguish from sense 5: this sense is about an indirect message that is almost too clear, not about comedy.
常見錯誤
broad — noun
1. a dated insult used about a woman.
a dated insult used about a woman.
The bartender told the tourist never to call women broads.
offensive slang for a woman
In old crime films, gangsters sometimes used broad as an insult.
The article explains why broad sounds dated and offensive today.
Hana left after hearing a stranger use broad about her friend.
文法句型
call + someone + a broad
use broad for a woman
用法筆記
Usually seen in old films, crime fiction, or discussions of insulting language. Avoid using it for real people, because it sounds disrespectful and offensive.