noun

broad

A woman, in dated and often offensive slang.

The old film's gangster calls every woman a broad.

Etymology

Probably a slang use of broad, “wide.” A specific explanation involving hips is plausible but unproved.

More examples

  • She objected when he referred to his neighbor as a broad.
  • The script uses broad to establish the character's dated, coarse manner.
  • His phrase those broads offended several people at the table.

Forms

broad · broads

Similar words

woman
The neutral term, broad is dated and can be insulting.