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Meaning & use

broad side

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˈbrɔːd saɪd/
US/ˈbrɔːd saɪd/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    The wide, flat face of an object, especially the side of a ship above the water.

    Grammar: Usually used with 'the': the broad side of the ship.

    Patterns

    • the broad side of something
    • along the broad side

    The sun was setting on the broad side of the old barn.

    The waves crashed against the broad side of the ship.

    Paint the broad side first, then the edges.

  2. nouncountablefigurative

    A strong written or spoken attack on someone or something.

    Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'a broad side against someone'.

    Patterns

    • a broad side against someone
    • deliver a broad side

    The report was a broad side against the company's safety record.

    She launched a broad side at the government's new policy.

    His speech was a broad side aimed at his critics.

  3. nouncountablemilitary

    The firing of all the guns on one side of a warship at the same time.

    Grammar: A military and naval term; often written 'broadside'.

    Patterns

    • fire a broad side
    • a broad side of guns

    The ship fired a broad side at the enemy vessel.

    A single broad side could sink a smaller boat.

    The captain ordered a broad side before retreating.

Word forms

pluralbroad sides

Common combinations

the broad side of
He hit the broad side of the target with his first throw.
a broad side against
The editorial was a broad side against wasteful spending.
fire a broad side
The warship prepared to fire a broad side.
on the broad side
The barn has a large door on the broad side.

Synonyms and how they differ

broadside
The one-word form is more common for the attack or gunfire sense and is the usual spelling in naval contexts.
side
A more general word for any surface or edge; 'broad side' emphasizes that the surface is wide and flat.
attack
A general word for any hostile act or criticism; 'broad side' suggests a sudden, forceful verbal strike.

Word family

broadside noun
A strong attack or the firing of all guns on one side of a ship.
broadside verb
To hit something with the side, or to publish a strong attack.

Commonly confused: broad side or broadside?

broad side vs broadside

This is the usual one-word spelling for the attack or gunfire meaning; 'broad side' as two words more often means the wide face of something.

Practice

Which sentence uses 'broad side' correctly to mean the wide, flat face of an object?

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