well wide definition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well wide definition" is not correct in standard written English. It can be used when discussing a definition that is broad or expansive, but it should be rephrased for clarity. An example could be: "The term has a well wide definition that encompasses various interpretations." Alternative expressions include "broad definition," "wide-ranging definition," and "extensive definition."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This wide definition includes pseudogenes, micro-RNA precursors as well as RNAs interacting with epigenetic effectors and splicing factors.

Cancer and Metastasis Reviews

Germany has a wide definition of migration, as it does not include a time constraint and thus the reported number may well include short term migrants.

European Journal of Population

Well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

He slices well, well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

It flies well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

He skewed it well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

The kick is well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

Lott used a wide definition of "gun-free zone" to compile this data.

The Washington Post

Tulio heads it well wide left.

The Guardian - Sport

He's slung that backhand well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

He screws his shot well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid combining the adverb "well" directly with "wide definition" unless you are using them in separate clauses. Instead, use an adjective like "broad" or "extensive" to modify the noun.

Common error

Do not confuse the sports idiom "well wide" (meaning a shot missed by a large margin) with academic terminology. Writing "this term has a well wide definition" is a mistake; use "this term has a "very broad definition"" instead.

Linguistic Context

The query "well wide definition" is a non-standard noun phrase. In standard English, "well" functions as an adverb that typically modifies verbs or participles (e.g., "well-defined"). When modifying a noun phrase like "wide definition", the construction fails because "well" cannot directly modify the adjective-noun unit in this manner. According to Ludwig AI, this sequence is often a result of a typo or a structural error.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Sports Commentary

65%

Scientific Discussion

20%

Legal Writing

15%

Less common in

Academic Linguistics

5%

Technical Manuals

3%

Creative Fiction

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well wide definition" is not a recognized phrase in standard English. Analysis from Ludwig AI indicates that it is a linguistic hybrid likely born from a confusion between the sports idiom "well wide" (meaning far off target) and the academic term "wide definition" (meaning a broad interpretation). While the individual components are frequently used by authoritative sources like The New Yorker and The Guardian, they do not function together as a single modifier. To ensure professional and clear writing, you should replace this phrase with more idiomatic alternatives such as "broad definition" or "wide-ranging definition". Always remember that "well" is best used in "well-defined" to indicate precision, which is the opposite of what a "wide definition" usually implies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad definition

Standard term for a definition that covers a large range of items or concepts.

wide-ranging definition

Emphasizes the extensive scope or variety included within the definition.

expansive definition

Suggests a definition that is large in scale or intended to grow.

inclusive definition

Focuses on the fact that the definition aims to include many different sub-categories.

loose definition

Implies the definition is not strictly enforced or has vague boundaries.

all-encompassing definition

A more hyperbolic way to say the definition covers everything within a field.

comprehensive definition

Suggests the definition includes all or nearly all elements or aspects.

flexible definition

Implies the definition can be adapted to various circumstances.

general definition

A basic or non-specific definition that applies to the majority of cases.

well-defined concept

Often confused with the query but actually refers to precision rather than breadth.

FAQs

Is "well wide definition" correct in English?

No, "well wide definition" is not a standard grammatical construction. You should use a "broad definition" or a "wide definition" to convey that a term is inclusive.

What is the difference between a "wide definition" and a "well-defined" term?

A "wide definition" is one that is broad and covers many things, whereas a "well-defined" term is one that is precise and clear.

How can I describe an expansive definition accurately?

You can use phrases like "expansive definition", "extensive definition", or "wide-ranging definition".

When would someone use the words "well wide"?

The phrase "well wide" is typically used in sports commentary to describe a ball that missed the target significantly, such as "the shot went "well wide" of the post".