broadness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (less common than the adjective 'broad')Formal, somewhat literary or academic. More common in written than spoken English.
Quick answer
What does “broadness” mean?
The quality or state of being broad.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality or state of being broad; physical width or extent.
The quality of being wide in scope, range, or understanding; lack of narrowness or restriction. Can refer to literal physical dimensions or to abstract qualities like inclusiveness, generality, or comprehensiveness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal lexical difference. Slight preference for 'breadth' over 'broadness' in both varieties, especially in abstract senses, but 'broadness' is fully understood.
Connotations
Neutral in both. 'Breadth' can sound slightly more refined or established in abstract use (e.g., 'breadth of knowledge').
Frequency
Equally uncommon in both dialects. No significant frequency disparity.
Grammar
How to Use “broadness” in a Sentence
the broadness of [NOUN PHRASE]with a broadness that[ADJECTIVE] broadnessVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “broadness” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- He smiled broadly at the news.
- The policy is broadly similar to the old one.
American English
- She grinned broadly in the photo.
- The theory is broadly accepted by scientists.
adjective
British English
- The river's broad expanse was calming.
- He took a broad view of the regulations.
American English
- The street is unusually broad for this neighborhood.
- She has a broad understanding of the issue.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in strategy or marketing to discuss product/service appeal: 'The broadness of our target market is a key strength.'
Academic
Common in critiques or analyses discussing scope: 'The study is criticised for the excessive broadness of its research question.'
Everyday
Rare. Might describe a physical object: 'I was surprised by the broadness of the new sofa.'
Technical
In design/engineering, can refer to literal measurements or spectral width: 'The broadness of the emission line indicates turbulence.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “broadness”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “broadness”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “broadness”
- Using 'broadness' where 'width' is more natural for simple physical measurement ('The broadness of the table is 1m' → 'The width of the table is 1m').
- Overusing 'broadness' instead of the more common noun 'breadth' in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Breadth' is the more common and often preferred term, especially for abstract qualities (breadth of knowledge, breadth of experience). 'Broadness' is less frequent and can sometimes sound slightly less refined, though it is correct and synonymous.
Yes, 'broadness of mind' is a correct, albeit formal, phrase meaning open-mindedness or lack of prejudice. However, 'breadth of mind' or simply 'open-mindedness' are more common.
No, it is an uncountable (mass) noun. You refer to 'its broadness' or 'the broadness', not 'a broadness' (except in rare, personified or technical contexts).
Teach 'breadth' first for the abstract noun related to 'broad'. Introduce 'broadness' as a less common alternative for advanced learners, highlighting its stylistic register and the slight preference for 'breadth' in many contexts.
The quality or state of being broad.
Broadness is usually formal, somewhat literary or academic. more common in written than spoken english. in register.
Broadness: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɔːdnəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɔːdnəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BROAD NESS (a broad headland or cape jutting into the sea) – it is wide and expansive, capturing the core meaning of wide extent.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/UNDERSTANDING IS A PHYSICAL AREA ('broadness of mind', 'broadness of vision').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'broadness' LEAST likely to be used?