widen
UK: ˈwaɪdən | US: ˈwaɪdən
vt. to make or become wider
vi. to expand in scope or range
The word "widen" combines the adjective "wide" (from Old English wīd, meaning "spacious" or "broad") with the verb-forming suffix "-en" (from Old English -nian), which means "to make or become." This suffix is commonly used to convert adjectives into verbs (e.g., "darken," "sharpen"). The logical progression is straightforward: "wide" (descriptive) + "-en" (action) = "to make wide." The term has retained its core meaning since its formation in Middle English.
The city plans to widen the road to reduce traffic congestion.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the gift.
The gap between rich and poor continues to widen.
They decided to widen the search after finding no clues.
Education can widen your perspective on global issues.