widely
WYD-lee
Widely (adv) means Over a large area or range. Example: “The rumour spread widely across the office.”
adv
1
Over a large area or range.
"The rumour spread widely across the office."
"Prices vary widely between shops."
"She has travelled widely and has friends in almost every continent."
2
Commonly; by many people.
"It is widely believed that the plan will fail."
"The book is widely read in schools."
"This song is widely known, so most people can sing along."
How to use widely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOver a broad area, or commonly and by many people.
Common pairings
widely known
widely believed
widely used
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Word forms
- Comparative
- widelier, more widely
- Superlative
- wideliest, most widely
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The rumour spread _____ across the office.
Etymology
From wide + the adverb suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for widely
See all rhymes for 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.
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