wide-angle

American  

[wahyd-ang-guhl] / ˈwaɪdˈæŋ gəl /

adjective

Photography.

1. of or relating to a lens having a relatively wide angle of view, generally 45° or more, and a focal length of less than 50 millimeters.

2. employing, or made with, a wide-angle lens.

   a wide-angle camera; a wide-angle shot.

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Etymology

Origin of wide-angle

First recorded in 1875–80

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Compare meaning

How does wide-angle compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• telephoto lens vs. wide-angle

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wide-angle

The system uses AI and its wide-angle camera to track 18 points on the player's body to create an on-screen matching avatar.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

Looking at my computer, I find myself lingering over a beautiful wide-angle photo of a mountain peak: giant slabs of sharp rock, brushed with snow and bathed in sunlight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026

"Our approach is like taking a wide-angle camera inside the ballroom. Now we can see how the dancers are pairing up and paying attention to one another, so they don't bump into each other."

From Science Daily ● Apr. 27, 2026

An easy-to-use app lets them schedule meals multiple times a day and check in on their furbaby with the click of a button, thanks to a built-in 1080p camera with a 145° wide-angle lens.

From Salon ● Nov. 20, 2025

Over at the country club, or in enormous corner offices with picture windows that seemed to deserve something more than wide-angle views of scrub brush and mesquite, they confused luck with business acumen.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

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