broadway

IPA/ˈbrɔːdweɪ/
KK[brˈɔdwˌe]IPA/ˈbrɔːdweɪ/

broadway — noun

1. the famous Manhattan theatre area, or the business of large professional plays a

1.nounB2
Definition

the famous Manhattan theatre area, or the business of large professional plays and musicals produced there

Example

Leila finally saw her first Broadway musical during her winter trip.

collocation: Broadway musical

After college, Tomas hopes to write songs for Broadway shows.

pattern: for Broadway shows

Common collocations
  • Broadway show
  • Broadway musical
  • Broadway theatre
  • on Broadway
  • move to Broadway
Synonyms
  • theatre district

    broader and descriptive; it can refer to any city area with many theatres

  • stage

    broader; it can mean theatre in general, not specifically New York commercial productions

  • show business

    much wider; it includes film, television, and pop entertainment as well

  • West End

    the closest British parallel, but it refers to London's theatre world

Grammar Patterns

on Broadway

to Broadway

Broadway show / Broadway musical

Usage Note

Often used without an article and after prepositions such as on and to. In phrases like Broadway show or move to Broadway, it can mean the professional New York theatre world, not only the street.

Common Mistakes

She saw a Broadway in New York.
She saw a Broadway show in New York.
Broadway usually names the theatre world or district, not one performance by itself.
He wants to work in the Broadway after school.
He wants to work on Broadway after school.
Use on when you mean the street or theatre district.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Broadway names the New York theatre world, especially large commercial plays and musicals. West End is the closest British match, but it refers to London's theatre district, not New York. Theatre district is broader and more descriptive, so it can be used for many cities and does not carry the same cultural weight. Stage is broader still and can mean theatre as an art form, whether commercial or not. Show business is wider than Broadway because it also includes film, television, and celebrity entertainment. Use Broadway when you mean the New York commercial theatre scene itself: Her musical opened on Broadway. Use West End when the setting is London.

Broadway ↗West Endtheatre districtstage ↗show business

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Broadway show
  • Broadway musical
  • Broadway theatre

Phrases

  • open on Broadway
  • move to Broadway
  • work on Broadway

Prepositions

  • on Broadway
  • to Broadway

Etymology

DutchEnglish

Broadway began as the name of a very wide road in New York. The name is tied to the Dutch period of the city, when a similar expression meant a broad or wide way. Over time, the street name also came to mean the theatre district around it and then the commercial stage industry connected with that area.