-ing form
Making something wider, or becoming wider from side to side.
They are widening the road for safety.
The river is widening as it nears the sea.
American English
How to pronounce widening
verb · adjective · nounB1
WAIdduhnihng
/ˈwaɪ.ɾə.nɪŋ/
3 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of widen
Widening can describe an action in progress, a growing difference, or the process itself.
Making something wider, or becoming wider from side to side.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
-ing form
Making a range, difference, or amount larger, or becoming larger in this way.
The company is widening its product range.
The gap between rich and poor is widening.
adjective
Becoming wider from side to side, used before a noun.
The widening doorway lets in more light.
The widening path leads to the lake.
adjective
Becoming larger, especially when describing a gap, difference, or range.
The widening gap in income worries many families.
The widening difference between the two results is difficult to explain.
Useful expressions
to make the difference between two people or groups larger
The decision widened the gap between the two sides.
to learn about new ideas, places, or experiences
Travel can widen your horizons.