wide

1 of 2

adjective

ˈwīd 

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

d

: lax sense 4

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• broad
• fat
• thick

Adverb

• all
• all of
• all over
• altogether
• clean
• completely
• dead
• enough
• entire
• entirely
• even
• exactly
• fast
• flat
• full
• fully
• heartily
• out
• perfectly
• plumb [chiefly dialect]
• quite
• soundly
• thoroughly
• through and through
• totally
• utterly
• well
• wholly

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

The series is planned to be shot in a wide range of diverse locations as its protagonist explores the world, including Finland, Italy, Japan, Tibet, and Kenya. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024

Contributing editor Megan Michelson is an award-winning journalist who covers travel and the outdoors for a wide range of publications, including Outside, The New York Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle. —Megan Michelson, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024

Adverb

Spain’s standout attacker at the tournament received the ball out wide, wrong-footed the defender with a brilliant feint and put a ball into the box which eventually trickled on to Celia Segura, who made no mistake from close range. —Neel Shelat, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

The rear seat area feels wide open and is spacious for children in car seats, or adults. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing wide

• cast/spread one's net wide
• corporate-wide
• double-wide
• far and wide
• give (someone or something) a wide berth
• in the whole wide world
• ultra-wide
• wide-angle
• wide-angle lens
• wide area network
• wide-awake
• wide-body
• wide boy
• wide-eyed
• wide-mouthed
• wide of the mark
• wide-open
• wide-ranging
• wide receiver
• wide-screen
• wide-spreading
• with (one's) arms wide open

Kids Definition

wide

1 of 2 adjective

ˈwīd 

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