broad

Everyday

1. Broad means wide from one side to the other. tree →
2. Broad means including many different things, general rather than detailed. tree →
3. «In broad daylight» means openly, in full daylight. tree →
4. A broad accent is strong and easy to notice. tree →

In the lessons

In geography a broad river or valley is wide. In lessons a «broad idea» or «broad topic» is general, not narrow. In stories a strong man has broad shoulders and a thief steals «in broad daylight». Phrases: broad shoulders, broad smile, in broad daylight, broad range, broadly speaking.

Examples

• The river is broad near the sea. tree →
• He has broad shoulders. tree →
• She gave a broad smile. tree →
• Science is a broad subject. tree →
• The bike was stolen in broad daylight. tree →
• The library has a broad range of books. tree →
• He speaks with a broad Scottish accent. tree →
• “How did you get such broad broad shoulders?” tree →

Note

Pronounced «brawd». Opposite: narrow. «Broad» and «wide» are close: «wide» is more common for measured size (two metres wide); «broad» often goes with body parts and ideas. Noun: breadth. Do not say «a broad of the river» — say «the width».

In Jewish tradition

In the Tanakh broad is used for the size of buildings and altars, and also for things too large to measure. Job says God's wisdom is broader than the sea, and the psalmist says God's commandment is "exceeding broad".

Interpretation. Tradition reads "exceeding broad" as meaning that the Torah is without limit. However much a person learns, there is always more in it.

Examples

• And thou shalt make the altar of acacia-wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be four-square; and the height thereof shall be three cubits. (Torah EXO.27.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• The whole creation is thus contemplated as a pyramid, terminating in a point at the top with a broad basis. [See Dr. Graetz's Gnosticismus, p. 224.] (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• And for the house he made windows broad within, and narrow without. (Prophets 1KI.6.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. (Writings JOB.11.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have seen an end to every purpose; but Thy commandment is exceeding broad. (Writings PSA.119.96, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Pronounced «brawd». Opposite: narrow. «Broad» and «wide» are close: «wide» is more common for measured size (two metres wide); «broad» often goes with body parts and ideas. Noun: breadth. Do not say «a broad of the river» — say «the width».