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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | wid |
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wide1 S1 W1
1
distance
a) measuring a large distance from one side to the other [= broad; ≠ narrow]: 
a wide tree-lined roada hat with a wide brim
a wide tree-lined roada hat with a wide brimb) measuring a particular distance from one side to the other : How wide is the door? The boat was nearly as wide as the canal.
How wide is the door?The boat was nearly as wide as the canal.2 including or involving a large variety of different people, things, or situations : a man with a wide experience of foreign affairs Our aim is to bring classical music to a wider audience.
variety
[usually before noun]a man with a wide experience of foreign affairsOur aim is to bring classical music to a wider audience. a wide range/variety/choice etc (of something) This year's festival includes a wide range of entertainers. holidays to a wide choice of destinations
This year's festival includes a wide range of entertainers.holidays to a wide choice of destinations3 happening among many people or in many places : The radio and newspapers gave the trial wide coverage.
in many places
[usually before noun]The radio and newspapers gave the trial wide coverage.4 a large and noticeable difference : the ever-wider gap between the richest and poorest countries
a wide variation/difference/gap etc
the ever-wider gap between the richest and poorest countries5 the more general features of a situation, rather than the specific details : We hope that by the end of the course students will be able to see their subject in a wider context.
the wider context/issues/picture etc
We hope that by the end of the course students will be able to see their subject in a wider context.6 wide eyes are fully open, especially when someone is very surprised, excited, or frightened : Her eyes grew wide in anticipation.
eyes
literaryHer eyes grew wide in anticipation.8 not hitting something you were aiming at
not hit something
9 places outside the small familiar place where you live : Soon you'll leave school and go out into the big wide world.
the (big) wide world
especially spokenSoon you'll leave school and go out into the big wide world.10 affecting all the people in a nation, city etc : a country-wide revolt against the government
nationwide/city-wide etc
a country-wide revolt against the governmentWORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
wide, thick, broadWide is used to talk about the distance across something such as a road or river. It is also used to talk about the distance from one side to the other of an object • a doorway two metres wideThick is usually used to talk about the distance between the two largest surfaces of an object • The steel doors are four inches thick.Broad can often be used instead of wide, but it is slightly literary • broad, graceful avenuesBroad is always used with shoulders and back • a big man with broad (NOT wide) shouldersWide is used with nouns such as range, variety, and choice to say that something includes a lot of different things.Broad is used with nouns such as outline, picture, and description to say that a description is general rather than specific.
WORD CHOICE: wide, thick, broadWide is used to talk about the distance across something such as a road or river. It is also used to talk about the distance from one side to the other of an object • a doorway two metres wideThick is usually used to talk about the distance between the two largest surfaces of an object • The steel doors are four inches thick.Broad can often be used instead of wide, but it is slightly literary • broad, graceful avenuesBroad is always used with shoulders and back • a big man with broad (NOT wide) shouldersWide is used with nouns such as range, variety, and choice to say that something includes a lot of different things.Broad is used with nouns such as outline, picture, and description to say that a description is general rather than specific.
