wide

1 of 2

adjective

wider; widest
1
a
: having great extent : vast
a wide area
b
: extending over a vast area : extensive
a wide reputation
c
: extending throughout a specified area or scope
usually used in combination
nationwide
industry-wide
d
: comprehensive, inclusive
a wide assortment
2
a
: having a specified extension from side to side
3 feet wide
b
: having much extent between the sides : broad
a wide doorway
c
: fully opened
wide-eyed
3
a
: extending or fluctuating considerably between limits
a wide variation
b
: straying or deviating from something specified
used with of
the accusation was wide of the truth
4
of an animal ration : relatively rich in carbohydrate as compared with protein
wideness noun

wide

2 of 2

adverb

wider; widest
1
a
: over a great distance or extent : widely
searched far and wide
b
: over a specified distance, area, or extent
usually used in combination
expanded the business country-wide
2
a
: so as to leave much space or distance between
placed wide apart
b
: so as to pass at or clear by a considerable distance
ran wide around left end
3
: to the fullest extent : completely, fully
wide open
Choose the Right Synonym for wide

broad, wide, deep mean having horizontal extent.

broad and wide apply to a surface measured or viewed from side to side.

a broad avenue

wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned

rugs eight feet wide

or applied to unfilled space between limits.

a wide doorway

broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard
deep woods

Examples of wide in a Sentence

Adjective the widest part of the river The desk is three feet wide. How wide is the doorway? Her eyes were wide with wonder. We have a wide range of options. a job calling for wide experience The election received wide news coverage. Adverb The poles were placed wide apart. He opened his eyes wide. They spread the map out wide. His mouth was wide open. They like to hike through wide open spaces.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Opened concurrent with the wide Lionsgate/True Brit UK release. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2024 Documentary grosses for initial wide releases have collapsed in recent years, with this ranking among the best. Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2024
Adverb
The drama categories seem likely to be wide open again next year, since last night’s winner Shōgun won’t have a new season done in time. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2024 Street level, wide open, with plush tables, chairs, and couches, and a sleek, extensive bar, Café Riggs feels like a dollop of Paris in a modern American city. Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wide 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English wīd; akin to Old High German wīt wide

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of wide was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wide

Cite this Entry

“Wide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wide. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

wide

1 of 2 adjective
wider; widest
1
a
: covering a large area
the whole wide world
b
: extending over, reaching, or affecting a vast area : extensive
wide publicity
c
: not limited : comprehensive
a job calling for wide experience
a wide assortment
2
a
: measured across or at right angles to length
cloth 40 feet wide
b
: having a great measure across : broad
a wide river
c
: opened as far as possible
3
a
: extending or fluctuating considerably between limits
a wide variation
b
: far from the thing in question
a charge wide of the truth
widely adverb
wideness noun

wide

2 of 2 adverb
1
: over a great distance or extent : widely
searched far and wide
2
a
: so as to leave much space between
placed wide apart
b
: so as to clear by a wide distance
ran wide around the left end
3
: to the fullest extent : completely
opened his eyes wide

More from Merriam-Webster on wide

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