What does wide mean?
Wide describes something that extends across a considerable distance, covers a broad area, or differs greatly from another thing. Its most familiar physical uses include a wide road, a wide smile, and eyes opened wide, but it is equally common for describing the scope of knowledge, experience, or opportunity: a wide range of subjects, a wide variety of choices, or a wide circle of friends. Wide can also indicate distance from a target, as in an arrow shot wide or an answer that is wide of the mark. In the expression wide awake, the word intensifies the idea of complete alertness. The adjective is usually modified by more and most, producing wider and widest, while widely is its standard adverb. In cricket, a wide is a delivery that passes too far for the batsman to reach and normally earns one extra run. The word is also occasionally used as a rare verb meaning “to make or become wide.”
Broad in physical extent, covering a broad range, far from a target or intended position, or fully open.
"The election attracted a wide range of voters from across the region."
In expressions such as “wide of the mark” and “wide awake,” wide has specialized meanings that differ from ordinary physical breadth.
To or by a considerable distance or extent; in a fully open or expanded manner.
"She opened her eyes wide when she saw the result."
It commonly follows a verb or appears with expressions such as “wide apart” and “far and wide.”
In cricket, a delivery judged to have passed too far for the batsman to play, normally resulting in one extra run.
"The bowler sent down a wide that was taken by the wicketkeeper."
The noun is chiefly used in cricket commentary and scoring.
To make or become wide; widen.
"The stream wides into a broad pool below the falls."
This verbal use is rare and is chiefly literary or archaic.
The plural refers to multiple cricket deliveries judged to have passed too far for the batsman to play.
"The bowler conceded two wides during the over."
From a broad road to a cricket delivery gone out of reach, wide has always described space between two boundaries.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wide come from?
The English word descends from Old English wīd, meaning “broad,” “spacious,” or “extensive.” It continues Proto-Germanic *wīdaz and is cognate with modern German weit, Dutch wijd, and Old Norse víðr. The development in English expanded the word’s use from physical breadth to broad range, scope, and divergence from a target.
Related word forms
How wide is actually used
Wide is neutral in register and common in formal and informal contexts. Physical uses emphasize breadth or distance, while abstract uses commonly indicate broad scope or variety. In the phrase “wide of the mark,” it means far from the correct or intended result. The verbal use “to wide” is rare and generally literary or archaic.
Easily confused with wide
Wide means broad or extensive in range, whereas wild means untamed, uncontrolled, or natural rather than cultivated.