What does broadish mean?
"Broadish" is an informal adjective meaning somewhat broad or fairly wide — wider than average, but not emphatically or precisely so. It is formed by attaching the familiar suffix "-ish" to the adjective "broad," much as "tallish" or "oldish" hedge their base words. The suffix signals approximation: describing a lane, a leaf, or a pair of shoulders as broadish conveys a rough impression of width without committing to an exact dimension. The word appears mostly in conversational British and American English and is rare in formal writing, where a phrase such as "fairly wide" would be preferred. Its value lies in its casualness — it lets speakers gesture at size when measurement, and even precision, is beside the point. Though seldom listed among a language learner's priorities, it illustrates how productively English uses "-ish" to soften adjectives into estimates.
adjectiveSomewhat broad; fairly wide rather than exactly or extremely so.
- Somewhat broad; moderately or approximately wide in extent.
"The path widened into a broadish track as it approached the river."
"They settled on a broadish street lined with plane trees."
"His shoulders had grown broadish after years of swimming."
The suffix "-ish" does for width what it does for time: just as "sevenish" means around seven, "broadish" means roughly wide — precision optional.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of broadish
"Broadish" combines "broad," an Old English adjective (brād) with Germanic cognates such as Dutch "breed" and German "breit," with the suffix "-ish," which has long been used to form approximative adjectives. The compound arose naturally in later English as speakers applied the productive "-ish" pattern to dimensional words. It shares its root with related derivatives of "broad" such as "breadth," "broaden," and "broadly."
How broadish is actually used
Informal and relatively uncommon; the "-ish" suffix lends a deliberately vague, conversational tone, so the word suits casual description more than technical measurement.
Easily confused with broadish
"Broad" means fully wide, while "broadish" hedges that meaning to indicate something only moderately or approximately wide.