more widely defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more widely defined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing concepts, terms, or categories that have a broader or more inclusive interpretation. Example: "In this context, the term is more widely defined to include various subcategories that were previously overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The type of impairment is more widely defined in the DSM-IV-TR (criterion E; e.g. impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning).

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

McKinsey reckons that the value of assets in exchange-traded products (defined somewhat more widely than ETFs), which in 2010 was about $1.5 trillion, will more than triple by 2015.Equities businesses are also facing strong pressure on margins.

The Economist

Still, more than a third of these widely defined shaft fractures were classified as atypical The proportion showing the "ASBMR minor criteria" (a more sharply defined group) in Feldstein's study was only 29% of all claimed atypical fractures, whereas Schilcher et al had 80%.

Acta Orthopaedica

We discuss potential applications of this screening strategy, both in the identification of transcriptional regulatory factors and more widely in defining molecular mechanisms in differentiation and development.

Development (Cambridge)

While several group I serovars such as S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis have been studied more widely, the genetic and phylogenetic diversity defining many of the important group I Salmonellae remains poorly understood.

BMC Genomics

Perfection in sports — at least as it is widely defined — has long been a fascination.

The New York Times - Sports

Gunn's Hess remains, for the most part, his own incontrovertible self, while Lee's version is more the chameleon, travelling more widely through more thickly defined neighborhoods and taking on the requisite identities without effort.

The New Yorker

In an important speech on Europe that he delivered on May 6, he defined European identity more widely.

Huffington Post

As the study proceeded, parallel progress was made in defining vulnerable children more widely in Namibia.

Unicef

The public health importance of Plasmodium vivax malaria is now more widely recognized as renewed targets for malaria elimination are defined.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

It signals the party leadership turning its back on what had been red line issues for us and which defined us to ourselves and to society more widely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more widely defined", ensure the context clearly indicates what the original, narrower definition was. Providing a point of comparison enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "more widely defined" when a simple, clear definition is sufficient. Overusing it can make your writing sound vague and less precise. Instead, opt for a specific term or phrase that directly conveys the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more widely defined" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a past participle. It describes how something is defined, indicating that the definition encompasses a broader scope or range of meanings. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more widely defined" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies an expansion in the scope or interpretation of a term or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to indicate that a definition has broadened over time or across different contexts. Though relatively rare, it appears in various reputable sources across science, news, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by referencing the original, narrower definition and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "broadly defined" or "defined more broadly" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broadly defined

Focuses on the breadth of the definition, omitting the comparative aspect of "more".

defined more broadly

Reorders the words for a different emphasis but retains the same meaning.

more inclusively defined

Emphasizes the inclusive nature of the definition.

defined on a larger scale

Shifts the focus to the scale or scope of the definition.

with a broader definition

Uses a prepositional phrase to convey the broader definition.

more extensively defined

Highlights the extent and detail of the definition.

defined in a more general sense

Focuses on the generality of the definition.

more comprehensively defined

Emphasizes the completeness of the definition.

with a less restrictive definition

Highlights the less restrictive nature of the definition.

given a wider scope

Changes the verb and emphasizes the scope of the definition.

FAQs

How can I use "more widely defined" in a sentence?

Use "more widely defined" to indicate that a term or concept has a broader or more inclusive meaning than it previously had. For example, "In recent years, the term 'sustainability' has become "more widely defined" to include social and economic factors, not just environmental ones."

What's a good alternative to "more widely defined"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "broadly defined", "defined more broadly", or "more inclusively defined" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "widely defined" instead of "more widely defined"?

Yes, "widely defined" is correct, but it doesn't carry the same nuance of comparison. "More widely defined" implies a shift or expansion from a previous, narrower definition.

What's the difference between "more widely defined" and "commonly defined"?

"More widely defined" refers to the breadth or scope of a definition, while "commonly defined" refers to how generally accepted or understood a definition is. A term can be commonly defined in a narrow way, or more widely defined to encompass a broader range of meanings.