Broad vs Strong

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Broad

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 adjective

Strong

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 adjective

	Broad	Strong
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/brɔːd/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/brɔːd/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/strɒŋ/","/ˈstrɒŋɡə(r)/","/ˈstrɒŋɡɪst/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/strɔːŋ/","/ˈstrɔːŋɡər/","/ˈstrɔːŋɡɪst/"]/
Meaning	Large or wide in extent.	powerful or tough
Example	The river has a broad width that makes it perfect for boating.	She has a strong desire to help others.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	A1
Part of speech	adjective	adjective
Collocations	be, extremely, fairly, very, be, extremely, fairly, very	be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong
Antonyms	narrow, tight, limited	weak, fragile, feeble
Common mistakes	Confusing 'broad' with 'broadly', which is an adverb., Using 'broad' to describe thin objects, such as a narrow path., Mixing up 'broad' with 'broad-minded', which has a different meaning.	Confused with 'sturdy' for describing objects instead of strength., Using 'strong' with uncountable nouns when a different adjective is needed., Overusing 'strong' in negative contexts instead of using 'weak' or 'fragile'.
Usage notes	Use 'broad' when describing something with a wide span. It's neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual settings where simpler words like 'wide' might suffice.	Used to describe physical strength, emotional power, or intensity. Suitable in various contexts, but avoid in overly formal writing.

See it in real clips

His legs are strong, Mrs Gump,

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

I know you're strong.

House Of Dragons › S1 E1

- An army 2,000 strong. - An army you gave him, Otto.

His legs are strong, Mrs Gump,

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

I know you're strong.

Strong

Frequently asked questions: Broad vs Strong

What's the difference between Broad and Strong?

Broad: Large or wide in extent. Strong: powerful or tough

Which is more advanced: Broad and Strong?

Broad is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Broad and Strong the same CEFR level?

Broad: B2, Strong: A1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Broad and Strong?

Broad: adjective, Strong: adjective.

Can you show an example of each?

Broad: The river has a broad width that makes it perfect for boating. Strong: She has a strong desire to help others.

Can I use Broad and Strong interchangeably?

Not always. Broad and Strong are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.