width

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'width' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the distance from one side to the other side of something, for example a room or a body of water. eg. "The width of the lake was about a mile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Germans approached the game with their usual phlegmatic sense of discipline and organisation, preferring Thomas Berthold to Wolfgang Rolff to give them extra width, pace and penetration on the right.

The Guardian - Sport

Leave a gap the width of half of a triangle (13cm in this instance) between each piece.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The first-floor room that ran the width of the building contained work unrelated to the exhibition below.

The Guardian - Books

We gave him a little too much width," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle about twice the size of the butter length-wise (40cm) and the same width (15cm).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Relying on the backs to provide width and support for the attack leaves the team exposed when they commit turnovers.

The Guardian - Sport

Its width suggested two or three people walking side by side, which Cabrera said was an indicator of drug smuggling activity: migrant groups tend to move in single file.

The Guardian

I have been wearing two pairs of flares, in real life: a new silky high-waisted black pair, £39.99 from Zara (it says wide-leg trousers on the website, but since the width of my thigh equals that of the trousers, they are definitely flares in my book) and an old pair of Made In Heaven flared jeans which are flat-fronted with a double row of gold buttons down each hipbone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There was width now and dynamism, Feghouli stretching the pitch on the right, Pablo Piatti and José Luis Gayá opening it out to the left.

The Guardian - Sport

The most obvious feature of David Moyes's coaching philosophy is his emphasis upon width – asking his central midfielders to spread the play, and encouraging the full-backs forward to create overloads with the wide midfielders.

The Guardian - Sport

Lanning pounces on a little width and cuts economically for four, guiding the ball backward of backward point.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, be specific about whether you are referring to "width", length, or height to avoid ambiguity. Use consistent units of measurement.

Common error

Avoid using "width" and length interchangeably. "Width" refers to the shorter dimension (side to side), while length refers to the longer dimension.

Linguistic Context

The word "width" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the measurement or extent of something from side to side. Ludwig's examples show it describing physical dimensions such as room "width", screen "width", or fabric "width".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "width" is a commonly used noun that describes the measurement of something from side to side. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports and scientific publications to everyday conversation. While often used interchangeably with "breadth", it's crucial to distinguish between the two to achieve nuance and clarity. Remember to avoid confusing "width" with "length". With this guide, you can confidently and accurately use "width" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breadth

A synonym that refers to the extent or scope of something, often used interchangeably with "width".

extent

Focuses on the range or scope of something, emphasizing the measurement from side to side.

lateral dimension

More technical and specific, referring to the side-to-side measurement.

sideways measure

A more descriptive way of referring to "width", focusing on the direction of measurement.

span

Refers to the distance between two points, often used for things that extend across a space.

diameter

Specifically refers to the "width" of a circle or sphere.

horizontal measure

Highlights that the measurement is taken along a horizontal axis.

crosswise dimension

Implies a measurement taken perpendicular to the length.

traverse

Focuses on crossing or extending across a space, implying "width".

girth

Specifically relates to the "width" or circumference of something, often cylindrical.

FAQs

How do I use "width" in a sentence?

You can use "width" to describe the measurement of something from side to side. For example, "The "width of the room" is 10 feet".

What's the difference between "width" and "breadth"?

"Width" and "breadth" are often used interchangeably, but "breadth" can also refer to the scope or range of something, while "width" typically refers to a physical measurement.

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

"Width" is a noun referring to the measurement, while "wide" is an adjective describing something that has a large "width". For example, "The table has a "width" of 3 feet and is very wide".

What are some synonyms for "width"?

Some synonyms for "width" include "breadth", "extent", and "span", depending on the context.