wide
♦♦♦ wide /w'aɪd/ (wider widest)
1 [ADJ]
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
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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
● widely [ADV] ADV after v
He was grinning widely, waving to her as he ran.
3 [ADJ] usu v n ADJ, v-link ADJ, also ADJ n
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...
4 [ADJ] amount ADJ, as ADJ as, ADJ-compar than, how ADJ
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...
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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
● widely [ADV] usu ADV after v
He published widely in scientific journals...
He was widely travelled.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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
● widely [ADV] ADV with v
At present, no widely approved vaccine exists for malaria.
7 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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...
● widely [ADV] ADV after v, ADV adj
The treatment regime may vary widely depending on the type of injury.
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
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...
9 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
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.
10
wide awake: see awake
far and wide: see far
wide of the mark: see mark
wide open: see openwide awake
[ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
If you are wide awake, you are completely awake.
I could not relax and still felt wide awake.wide boy (wide boys)
[N-COUNT]
A wide boy is a man, especially a young man, who has a lot of money but who earns it in a dishonest or illegal way. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)
1 [ADJ]
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
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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
● widely [ADV] ADV after v
He was grinning widely, waving to her as he ran.
3 [ADJ] usu v n ADJ, v-link ADJ, also ADJ n
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...
4 [ADJ] amount ADJ, as ADJ as, ADJ-compar than, how ADJ
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...
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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
● widely [ADV] usu ADV after v
He published widely in scientific journals...
He was widely travelled.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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
● widely [ADV] ADV with v
At present, no widely approved vaccine exists for malaria.
7 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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...
● widely [ADV] ADV after v, ADV adj
The treatment regime may vary widely depending on the type of injury.
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
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...
9 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
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.
10
wide awake: see awake
far and wide: see far
wide of the mark: see mark
wide open: see openwide awake
[ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
If you are wide awake, you are completely awake.
I could not relax and still felt wide awake.wide boy (wide boys)
[N-COUNT]
A wide boy is a man, especially a young man, who has a lot of money but who earns it in a dishonest or illegal way. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)