broad

 
Pronunciation: /brɔːd/

adjective

  • 1having a distance larger than usual from side to side; wide: a broad staircase
  • (after a measurement) giving the distance from side to side: the valley is three miles long and half a mile broad
  • large in area: a broad expanse of paddy fields
  • 2covering a large number and wide scope of subjects: the company has a broad range of experience
  • having a wide range of meanings or applications; loosely defined: our range of programmes comprises three broad categories
  • including many people of many kinds: the polls registered broad support for Labour
  • 3general; without detail: a broad outline of the legal framework for pension schemes
  • (of a hint) clear and unambiguous; not subtle: a broad hint
  • (of a phonetic transcription) showing only meaningful distinctions in sound and ignoring minor details.
  • 4somewhat coarse and indecent: the broad humour has been toned down
  • 5(of a regional accent) very noticeable and strong: the words had a distinct tang of broad Lancashire

noun

North American informal
  • a woman: I get drunk, follow the pretty broads, and make a fool of myself

Phrases

broad in the beam

informal
(of a person) fat around the hips.

in broad daylight

during daylight hours, and surprising for this reason: the kidnap took place in broad daylight

Derivatives

broadness

noun

Origin:

Old English brād, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch breed and German breit