widely
1 antonyms and opposites of widely, grouped by meaning.
Adv — Over a large area or range.
Antonyms
How to use widely
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From wide + the adverb suffix -ly.
Full origin of widely →Frequently asked questions
What does “widely” mean?
The word “widely” means over a large area or range. In plain terms, over a broad area, or commonly and by many people.
How do you pronounce “widely”?
“Widely” is pronounced WYD-lee (/ˈwaɪdli/ in IPA).
How do you use “widely” in a sentence?
Here is “widely” used in a sentence: “The rumour spread widely across the office.”
What is another word for “widely”?
Words with a similar meaning to “widely” include extensively, far and wide and spreadly.
What is the opposite of “widely”?
The opposite of “widely” — its antonyms — is narrowly.
What part of speech is “widely”?
“Widely” is an adverb.
Is “widely” a common word?
“Widely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “widely” have?
“Widely” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: over a large area or range.
What is the difference between 'widely' and 'wildly'?
They look similar but mean very different things. 'Widely' means over a large area or range, as in 'widely available.' 'Wildly' means in an uncontrolled, extreme or wild way, as in 'wildly popular' or 'swinging wildly.' The single letter changes the meaning completely, so the two are easy to mistype.
What does it mean when something is 'widely known'?
It means the thing is known across a large number of people or a broad area, rather than by only a few. 'Widely known,' 'widely used' and 'widely available' all stress spread and reach — how far something extends — rather than depth. It suggests broad, general familiarity.
What is the difference between 'widely' and 'broadly'?
The two overlap and often swap freely. 'Widely' stresses spread across a large area or many people, as in 'widely travelled.' 'Broadly' leans towards scope or generality, as in 'broadly speaking' or 'broadly similar.' You travel widely, but you agree broadly when you agree in general terms.