wide

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'wide' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something that has a great distance from one side to another. Example sentence: The Grand Canyon is one of the world's most impressive natural wonders, stretching across a wide expanse of the desert.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"The Commission needs to make sure that consumers continue to have access to a wide variety of music in different physical and digital formats at competitive conditions".

The New York Times

A November report by a British thinktank noted a rise in close military encounters between Russia and the west this year, including "violations of national airspace, emergency scrambles, narrowly avoided mid-air collisions, close encounters at sea, simulated attack runs and other dangerous actions happening on a regular basis over a very wide geographical area".

The Guardian

But he found trouble in running at Sandown and this tricky track may not be easy for a horse of his inexperience, breaking from a wide stall in a big field.

The Guardian - Sport

Since all it takes for evil to prevail is one good seven-year-old to do nothing, I continued to crack the case wide open: "And what about the tooth fairy?" I got up to tell my sister, but was waylaid by an adult offering me chocolate cake in exchange for my silence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The former homes of both Darío and Cortés are now museums; Fundación Ortiz Gurdian showcases a wide selection of Nicaraguan and Latin American art; the city also has several beautifully renovated colonial-era churches.

The Guardian - Travel

McCann swung wildly, screwing the ball right-footed wide of Neil Alexander's left post.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

It's a wide-open field.

The Guardian - Film

Students began a class boycott last Monday and, galvanised by a city-wide surge in support, staged a large-scale protest outside of the city government headquarters on Friday night.

The Guardian

Some both within and without Northern Ireland have called for a comprehensive, wide-ranging international inquiry into the dirty war.

The Guardian

Method: Dr Julie Makani from Muhimbili University in Tanzania is working with the Wellcome Trust to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in order to better understand the genetic and environmental factors affecting SCD.

The Guardian

The appearance of the Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, on last week's UK-wide televised leaders' debate, where she deservedly won applause for a doughty duffing of Nigel Farage, should not be allowed to mislead either.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wide" to describe physical dimensions, ensure you're emphasizing the lateral extent. For metaphorical uses, consider if "extensive" or "comprehensive" might be more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "wide" when describing vertical distance or length. "High" refers to vertical measurement, while "long" describes length.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wide" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their lateral extent or scope. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

20%

Sport

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "wide" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting breadth, scope, or extent. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across numerous contexts, highlighting its versatility. While semantically similar to terms like "broad" or "extensive", it often implies a measurable lateral dimension or a comprehensive scope. This guide offers insights into best practices, common errors to avoid, and related phrases for enriching your writing. "Wide" is a frequently used term, particularly in News & Media, Travel, and Sports contexts, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad

Similar in meaning, but often implies a more general or less precise measurement.

extensive

Suggests a large area or range, emphasizing completeness or detail.

wide-ranging

Describes something that covers a large number of subjects or topics.

spacious

Specifically refers to a large amount of space, often in a positive way.

vast

Implies an extremely large size or extent, often inspiring awe.

wide-scale

Refers to something affecting or involving a large area or population.

across-the-board

Indicates something that affects everything or everyone in a group.

all-encompassing

Signifies something that includes everything; comprehensive.

all-inclusive

Covers everything; no exceptions.

blanket

Affecting or covering all items or cases in a group; similar to across-the-board.

FAQs

How can I use "wide" in a sentence?

You can use "wide" to describe the physical extent of something, like "a wide river", or to describe the scope of something, such as "a wide range of options".

What can I say instead of "wide"?

You can use alternatives like "broad", "extensive", or "spacious" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "wide" or "widely"?

"Wide" is an adjective, while "widely" is an adverb. Use "wide" to describe a noun (e.g., a wide road) and "widely" to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb (e.g., widely known).

What's the difference between "wide" and "broad"?

While similar, "wide" often refers to a specific measurement or dimension, whereas "broad" can imply a more general or less precise extent. For example, a "wide" avenue has a measurable width, while a "broad" topic is one that encompasses many ideas.