broadly

broadly — adverb

1. in a way that gives the main picture of something instead of its small differenc

1.adverbC1
Definition

in a way that gives the main picture of something instead of its small differences or exact points.

Example

Broadly speaking, the plan worked, but two villages needed more help.

phrase: broadly speaking for a general view

Broadly, teachers supported the change after the first school term.

sentence adverb before a general comment

Common collocations
  • broadly speaking
  • broadly similar
  • broadly true
  • broadly the same
  • viewed broadly
Synonyms
  • generally

    the closest synonym; common for overall statements

  • largely

    often means mostly, with some exceptions

  • roughly

    can suggest an estimate rather than a summary view

  • overall

    often sounds slightly more direct in summaries or reports

Antonyms
  • specifically

    with attention to exact points rather than the general picture

  • precisely

    with exact detail and clear limits

Grammar Patterns

broadly speaking

broadly, + clause

viewed broadly

Usage Note

Often appears when the speaker is stepping back from fine detail and making an overall comment. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes the shape of a smile rather than a general judgement.

Common Mistakes

Broadly, every detail in the map was correct.
Broadly, the map was correct.
use this sense for the overall picture, not for each exact point.
The two reports are broad the same.
The two reports are broadly the same.
use the adverb 'broadly' to modify the whole comparison.

2. with a wide smile that clearly shows strong pleasure or enjoyment.

2.adverbB2
Definition

with a wide smile that clearly shows strong pleasure or enjoyment.

Example

Priya smiled broadly when the nurse brought in her healthy baby.

smile broadly to show strong joy

At the airport gate, Ravi waved and smiled broadly at his sons.

Common collocations
  • smile broadly
  • grin broadly
  • beam broadly
  • smile broadly at somebody
Synonyms
  • widely

    can also describe the mouth opening wide, but is less common here

  • beamingly

    more literary and strongly suggests obvious happiness

  • radiantly

    more expressive and not limited to the width of a smile

Antonyms
  • faintly

    with only a small, weak smile

  • grimly

    with little or no sign of pleasure

Grammar Patterns

smile broadly

grin broadly

beam broadly

Usage Note

This sense usually goes with smiling faces and happy reactions. It is far narrower than sense 1 and does not mean 'in general'.

Common Mistakes

He broadly smiled at the camera.
He smiled broadly at the camera.
this adverb usually comes after 'smiled'.
Leila laughed broadly at the joke.
Leila smiled broadly at the joke.
this word most naturally describes a wide smile, not general laughing.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

For sense 1, 'broadly' is close to 'generally', 'largely', 'roughly', and 'overall', but each one points in a slightly different direction. 'Generally' is the nearest everyday choice for making a general statement. 'Largely' often means 'for the most part', so it leaves clearer room for exceptions. 'Roughly' is common when giving numbers or estimates, and it can sound less careful. 'Overall' is common in reports and spoken summaries when you want to judge the final picture. Choose 'broadly' when you want to step back from detail and talk about the main pattern. Compare: 'Broadly, the policy helped small shops' and 'Roughly, fifty families came to the meeting.'

broadly ↗generally ↗largely ↗roughly ↗overall ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Broadly comes from the adjective 'broad' plus the adverb ending '-ly'. 'Broad' goes back to Old English 'brad', meaning wide or spread out. The adverb first kept that physical idea of width, and later English extended it to more abstract uses, such as talking about a subject in a general way rather than point by point.