(wider, widest)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is wide measures a large distance from one side or edge to the other.
All worktops should be wide enough to allow plenty of space for food preparation.
...a wide-brimmed sunhat.
? narrow
ADJ
2.
A wide smile is one in which your mouth is stretched because you are very pleased or amused.
It brought a wide smile to his face and laughter to his eyes...
= broad
ADJ: usu ADJ n
• widely
He was grinning widely, waving to her as he ran.
ADV: ADV after v
3.
If you open or spread something wide, you open or spread it as far as possible or to the fullest extent.
'It was huge,' he announced, spreading his arms wide...
His eyes were wide in disbelief...
ADJ: usu v n ADJ, v-link ADJ, also ADJ n
4.
You use wide to talk or ask about how much something measures from one side or edge to the other.
...a corridor of land 10 kilometres wide...
The road is only one track wide.
...a desk that was almost as wide as the room...
ADJ: amount ADJ, as ADJ as, ADJ-compar than, how ADJ
5.
You use wide to describe something that includes a large number of different things or people.
The brochure offers a wide choice of hotels, apartments and holiday homes...
The proposed constitution gives him much wider powers than his predecessor.
= broad
? narrow
ADJ: usu ADJ n
• widely
He published widely in scientific journals...
He was widely travelled.
ADV: usu ADV after v
6.
You use wide to say that something is found, believed, known, or supported by many people or throughout a large area.
The case has attracted wide publicity...
I suspect this book will have the widest appeal of all...
= extensive
ADJ: usu ADJ n
• widely
At present, no widely approved vaccine exists for malaria.
ADV: ADV with v
7.
A wide difference or gap between two things, ideas, or qualities is a large difference or gap.
Research shows a wide difference in tastes around the country...
ADJ: usu ADJ n
• widely
The treatment regime may vary widely depending on the type of injury.
ADV: ADV after v, ADV adj
8.
Wider is used to describe something which relates to the most important or general parts of a situation, rather than to the smaller parts or to details.
He emphasised the wider issue of superpower cooperation...
ADJ: ADJ n
9.
If something such as a shot or punch is wide, it does not hit its target but lands to the right or left of it.
Nearly half the missiles landed wide.
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ
10.
wide of the mark: see
mark