widening

/ˈwaɪ.dən/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈaɪdənɪŋ] /ˈwaɪ.dən/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈaɪdənɪŋ] /ˈwī-dᵊn How to pronounce widen (audio)/ (ame, mw)

widening — verb

  • wideningpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • widenings3rd person singular
  • wideninging-ing form
  • wideningedpast simple

1. if something is widening, or someone is widening it, it is getting bigger from o

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

if something is widening, or someone is widening it, it is getting bigger from one side to the other

例句

Workers are widening the bridge so buses can cross safely.

transitive: be widening + road/bridge/opening

The crack in the kitchen wall is widening after the earthquake.

intransitive: gap/crack is widening

同義詞
  • broadening

    very similar, but often used more for surfaces, smiles, or abstract growth

  • expanding

    suggests getting bigger in a general way, not only from side to side

  • enlarging

    focuses on overall size rather than width alone

反義詞
  • narrowing

    becoming less wide or making something less wide

文法句型

be widening + noun phrase

noun phrase + be widening

用法筆記

Often used with roads, cracks, rivers, entrances, and smiles when the change is happening now or over a period of time. The transitive use names the person or force causing the change, while the intransitive use focuses on the thing becoming wider by itself.

常見錯誤

❌The road widening after the storm.
✅The road is widening after the storm.
💡use a form of 'be' before the -ing verb.
❌They are widening the room with one metre.
✅They are widening the room by one metre.
💡use 'by' to state how much the width changes.

2. if something is widening, or someone is widening it, more people, things, or ide

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

if something is widening, or someone is widening it, more people, things, or ideas are being included, or its reach is growing

例句

The museum is widening its programme to attract more local families.

transitive: be widening + programme/range/access

A part-time job is widening Hana's circle of friends in Taipei.

同義詞
  • broadening

    close in meaning and especially common for experience, knowledge, or discussion

  • expanding

    the broadest option for growth in size, scope, or activity

  • extending

    emphasizes reaching further outward to new people, places, or limits

反義詞
  • narrowing

    making a range, search, or choice more limited

  • restricting

    stronger and more formal; adds the idea of limits being imposed

文法句型

be widening + abstract noun phrase

noun phrase + be widening

用法筆記

Common with abstract nouns such as programme, search, access, audience, range, and understanding. Distinguish it from sense 1 by the object: sense 1 changes physical width, while this sense increases what is included or reached.

常見錯誤

❌They are widening the choices for parents.
✅They are widening the range of choices for parents.
💡in this sense, 'widen' usually takes nouns like 'range', 'access', or 'search'.
❌The project is widening more people.
✅The project is widening its audience.
💡the verb normally takes the field or range that becomes broader, not the people themselves.