—adj.
1 a measuring much or more than other things of the same kind across or from side to side. b considerable; more than is needed (a wide margin).
2 (following a measurement) in width (a metre wide).
3 extending far; embracing much; of great extent (has a wide range; has wide experience; reached a wide public).
4 not tight or close or restricted; loose.
5 a free, liberal; unprejudiced (takes wide views). b not specialized; general.
6 open to the full extent (staring with wide eyes).
7 a (foll. by of) not within a reasonable distance of. b at a considerable distance from a point or mark.
8 Brit. sl. shrewd; skilled in sharp practice (wide boy).
9 (in comb.) extending over the whole of (nationwide).
—adv.
1 widely.
2 to the full extent (wide awake).
3 far from the target etc. (is shooting wide).
—n.
1 Cricket a ball judged to pass the wicket beyond the batsman's reach and so scoring a run.
2 (prec. by the) the wide world.
Phrases and idioms:
give a wide berth to see BERTH. wide-angle (of a lens) having a short focal length and hence a field covering a wide angle. wide awake
1 fully awake.
2 colloq. wary, knowing.
wide ball Cricket (sense
1 of n.). wide-eyed surprised or naiumlve. wide of the mark see MARK(1). wide open (often foll. by to) exposed or vulnerable (to attack etc.). wide-ranging covering an extensive range. the wide world all the world great as it is.
Derivatives:
wideness n. widish adj.
Etymology: OE wid (adj.), wide (adv.) f. Gmc
Useful english dictionary. 2012.