Broad

adj. thoughtful, capable professional

What it means

Covering a wide range of subjects, people, experiences, or possibilities.

Reach for it when praising scope that includes several relevant perspectives or abilities

Her broad experience helped the panel recognize links between housing and health.

Words to choose between 7

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
playful
warm
professional
formal
literary
  • playful

    big-picture

    Fits when overall patterns matter more than detail

    Not when breadth of knowledge rather than viewpoint is praised

  • warm

    diverse

    Fits when meaningful variety among parts is central

    Not when one continuous large range is being described

  • professional

    comprehensive

    Fits when coverage is close to complete

    Not when the scope is wide but known gaps remain

  • professional

    wide-ranging

    Fits when many distinct topics or areas are included

    Not when physical width rather than scope is intended

  • formal

    extensive

    Fits when large coverage or amount deserves emphasis

    Not when variety rather than sheer size makes the range useful

  • literary

    eclectic

    Fits when varied sources or tastes combine unexpectedly

    Not when the range is coherent and systematic

  • literary

    expansive

    Fits when generous scope or outlook should feel open

    Not when precise bounded coverage is required

Opposites 3

  • narrow
  • limited
  • specialized

Common phrases 3

  • broad range

    The course offers a broad range of examples without sacrificing depth.

  • broad knowledge

    Broad knowledge let her translate between the engineers and clinicians.

  • broad perspective

    A broad perspective helped the group see consequences beyond the first year.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, California accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated