wide

aɪ

/waɪd/

Definition & Meaning of "wide"

wide

ADJECTIVE

having a large length from side to side

broad

Example

The river was wide, spanning several hundred meters across.

The bridge was wide, allowing for multiple lanes of traffic.

significantly considerable in magnitude, amount, or intensity

appreciable

big

considerable

great

hefty

Example

The team won by a wide margin, showcasing their dominance in the game.

The gap between the two competitors ’ scores was surprisingly wide.

encompassing a broad, varied range of people, items, situations, content, or subjects

all-embracing

all-encompassing

all-inclusive

blanket

broad

Example

The university offers a wide array of courses, ranging from computer science to classical literature.

Her interests are incredibly wide, spanning from astronomy to ancient history.

(of eyes) opened or stretched as much as possible, often due to surprise, fear, or amazement

staring

Example

The child 's eyes were wide with wonder as he watched the fireworks light up the night sky.

In the dimly lit room, his wide eyes betrayed his fear of the unknown noises.

affecting or involving a large number of people or occurring across a vast area

large-scale

far-reaching

broad

extensive

Example

The disease had a wide outbreak, affecting numerous countries across several continents.

The internet has made it easier for information to have a wide reach, accessible to millions instantly.

addressing the larger, more general aspects of a situation or issue

broad

overall

Example

The report examined the wider implications of the new policy on the community.

She discussed the wider effects of climate change, beyond just the rising temperatures.

missing the intended aim or goal by a significant margin

Example

The pitcher ’s throw was wide, allowing the runner to steal a base.

His throw was wide, landing far from the intended receiver.

positioned at or near the sidelines of the field, specifically in soccer

outside

Example

He played in a wide left position, creating opportunities for crosses into the box.

He delivered a perfect cross from his wide position on the right.

(of a pronunciation) articulated with the muscles in a relatively relaxed state

lax

Example

The vowel sound in " sit " is wide, requiring less muscle tension than the vowel sound in " seat. "

Linguists often study wide vowels to understand how relaxed muscle articulation affects pronunciation.

(of an animal's diet, feed, etc.) having a higher proportion of carbohydrates relative to protein

Example

The farmer fed the livestock a wide diet to ensure they had enough energy for the cold winter months.

A wide feed is often used to fatten animals quickly due to its high carbohydrate content.

(of a piece of clothing) made with a generous amount of fabric, allowing for a loose or flowing fit

full

wide-cut

Example

She wore a wide skirt that billowed gracefully with each step she took.

The wide sleeves of his robe added an elegant touch to his traditional attire.

keenly perceptive, alert, and cautious

Dialect

British

alert

astute

canny

cautious

observant

Informal

Example

She was wide to the salesperson's tactics, refusing to be easily persuaded.

His wide nature helped him navigate the tricky negotiations successfully.

wide

ADVERB

used to indicate a significant distance or range, often between points or objects

Example

The eagle soared wide across the open sky, its wingspan reaching impressive lengths.

The highway stretched wide through the vast desert, disappearing into the horizon.

to the greatest extent

absolutely

completely

entirely

fully

perfectly

Example

He smiled wide upon receiving the unexpected gift.

The river flows wide as it nears the delta, spreading into numerous tributaries.

to a significant distance from the intended target or goal

astray

Example

The hunter ’s arrow flew wide of the deer, startling it away.

The soccer player's shot went wide of the goal, missing the net by several feet.

in or to a position near the sidelines or edges of the field, especially in football and soccer

Example

The winger played wide on the left, ready to receive a cross from the midfield.

The coach instructed the player to stay wide to stretch the opposing defense.

-wide

SUFFIX

used to convey that something happens or exists throughout the entirety of a specific area, group, etc.

Example

The new regulation caused an industry-wide shift in safety protocols.

The company announced a store-wide sale, offering discounts on all items.

Wide

NOUN

(in cricket) a ball delivered by the bowler that is too far from the batsman to hit, usually penalized with an extra run to the batting side

What is a "wide"?

A wide in cricket is a delivery that is out of the batter's reach, either too far outside the batter's side of the stumps or too far down the leg side. If the ball is delivered in such a way that the batter cannot reasonably play a shot at it, the umpire will call it a wide. A wide delivery does not count as one of the six balls in an over, and the batting team is awarded one extra run. A wide is often seen as a mistake by the bowler, as it can allow the batting team to score easily.

Example

The bowler's attempt at a yorker resulted in a wide, drifting outside the leg stump.

The spinner's ball spun sharply down the leg side, deemed a wide by the umpire.