Broadly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective phrase adverb /ˈbrȯd/

Meaning & Definition of Broadly

Broadly (adjective)

  1. having ample extent from side to side or between limits
  2. having a specified extension from side to side
  3. extending far and wide, spacious

Broadly (phrase)

  1. involving or attracting many different types of people
  2. to describe very generally

Broadly (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to a large extent or degree

    "the new policy is broadly applicable"

    similar: astronomically, big-time, colossally, considerably, enormously, extensively, greatly, highly, hugely, largely, massively, monstrously, monumentally, much, sizably, staggeringly, stupendously, tremendously, utterly, vastly, a lot, by half, no end
    related: appreciably, noticeably, significantly, abundantly, amply, copiously, healthily, plentifully
    opposite: little, negligibly, nominally, slightly
    near: modestly, fractionally, imperceptibly, infinitesimally, insignificantly, invisibly, microscopically, minutely, barely, hardly, just, minimally, scarcely

Related Entry: Broad (adjective)

Broad is a different word from Broadly. The synonyms below are for broad, not for broadly.

  1. having a greater than usual measure across

    "an unusually broad expanse of water in the island-dotted lake"

    similar: fat, thick, wide
    related: expansive, extensive, sweeping, commodious, roomy, spacious, outsize, oversize, sizable, substantial, tidy, voluminous
    opposite: hairline, narrow, paper-thin, skinny, slender, slim, slim-jim, thin
    near: fine, hairlike, reedlike, elongate, needlelike, bottleneck, close, compressed, condensed, constricted, contracted, squeezed, tight, tightened, attenuate, attenuated, small, smallish, undersized

  2. having considerable extent

    "her broad knowledge of American politics makes her a much-sought-after guest on talk shows"

    similar: deep, expansive, extended, extensive, far-flung, far-reaching, rangy, sweeping, wide, wide-ranging, widespread
    related: comprehensive, general, global, inclusive, boundless, endless, infinite, limitless, unlimited, capacious, commodious, roomy, spacious
    opposite: narrow
    near: circumscribed, limited, restricted

  3. not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

    "gave them a broad hint that it was time to leave"

    similar: apparent, bald, bald-faced, barefaced, bright-line, clear, clear-cut, crystal clear, decided, distinct, evident, lucid, luculent, luminous, manifest, nonambiguous, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, pellucid, perspicuous, plain, ringing, straightforward, transparent, unambiguous, unambivalent, unequivocal, unmistakable
    related: cognizable, cognoscible, comprehendible, comprehensible, digestible, fathomable, graspable, intelligible, knowable, understandable, self-evident, self-explanatory, clean-cut, simple, tidy, uncomplicated, overt, undisguised, appreciable, perceptible, recognizable, sensible, tangible, discernible, noticeable, observable, visible, black-and-white, explicit, trenchant, well-defined, clean, decipherable, fair, legible, readable
    opposite: ambiguous, clouded, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, indistinct, mysterious, nonobvious, obfuscated, obscure, unapparent, unclarified, unclear
    near: incomprehensible, indecipherable, unfathomable, unintelligible, unknowable, impalpable, imperceptible, inappreciable, indiscernible, insensible, cloudy, gauzy, gray, hazy, imprecise, indefinite, indeterminate, misty, murky, nebulous, noncommittal, sketchy, slippery, subtle, vague, illegible, undecipherable, unreadable

  4. relating to the main elements and not to specific details

    "a broad overview of the topic"

    similar: all-around, bird's-eye, general, nonspecific, overall
    related: comprehensive, inclusive, absolute, boundless, expansive, extensive, infinite, panoramic, sweeping, vast, wide, indeterminate, nebulous, nondescript, vague, unlimited, unrestricted, unspecified
    opposite: close-up, delineated, detailed, molecular, particularized, specific
    near: limited, restricted, specified, distinct, explicit, precise, sharp, comprehensive, elaborate, full, mapped (out), thorough, enumerated, inventoried, itemized, listed, individual, singular, particular, peculiar

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Broadly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Broadly:

astronomically, big-time, colossally, considerably, enormously, extensively, greatly, highly, hugely, largely, massively, monstrously, monumentally, much, sizably, staggeringly, stupendously, tremendously, utterly, vastly, a lot, by half, no end

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Broadly

Words with the opposite meaning of Broadly:

little, negligibly, nominally, slightly

Related Words for Broadly

appreciably, noticeably, significantly, abundantly, amply, copiously, healthily, plentifully

Near Antonyms of Broadly

modestly, fractionally, imperceptibly, infinitesimally, insignificantly, invisibly, microscopically, minutely, barely, hardly, just, minimally, scarcely

Word Forms of Broadly

Inflections: broader, broadest

Derived words: broadly (adverb), broadness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Broadly

Middle English brood, from Old English brād; akin to Old High German breit broad

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Broadly

Words & Phrases Containing Broadly

broadly based, broadly/loosely define

Frequently Asked Questions about Broadly

What does "Broadly" mean?

"Broadly" means having ample extent from side to side or between limits. As an an adjective, a phrase and an adverb, it is defined as: having ample extent from side to side or between limits.

What is another word for "Broadly"?

Other words for "Broadly" include astronomically, big-time, colossally, considerably, enormously, extensively, greatly and highly. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Broadly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Broadly"?

There are 31 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Broadly". Common alternatives include astronomically, big-time, colossally, considerably, enormously, extensively, greatly, highly, hugely and largely.

What is the opposite of "Broadly"?

Antonyms of "Broadly" include little, negligibly, nominally and slightly. Near antonyms include modestly, fractionally, imperceptibly and infinitesimally.

How do you use "Broadly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Broadly" in a sentence: "the new policy is broadly applicable".

Is "Broadly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Broadly" can be used as an adjective, a phrase and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Broadly" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Broadly" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Broadly"?

"Broadly" is pronounced /ˈbrȯd/.