widely

American  

[wahyd-lee] / ˈwaɪd li /

adverb

1. to a wide extent.

2. over a wide space or area.

   a widely distributed plant.

3. by or among a large number of persons.

   a widely known artist.

4. in many or various subjects, cases, etc..

   to be widely read.

5. greatly, very much, or very.

   widely differing accounts of an event.

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Etymology

Origin of widely

First recorded in 1655–65; wide + -ly

Explanation

The adverb widely is good for describing something that happens over a broad area or in a big way. If it is widely believed that the stock market will crash, then you better sell, sell, sell. If the houses in your neighborhood vary widely, there is an enormous amount of difference between each house — a tiny bungalow next door to a huge mansion, for example. Likewise, when you smile widely at a cute little kid, it's a big smile. The adverb widely comes from the adjective wide, or broad, from an Old English root word, wīd, "spacious or extensive."

Example Sentences

It is widely believed that the ground movement is linked to a former mine, but this has not been confirmed.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2026

Several major music industry organizations on Friday unveiled a labeling system for content created with generative artificial intelligence that they would like to see widely adopted.

From Barron's • Jul. 10, 2026

Dundon’s move was widely criticized — and ridiculed — after the Hurricanes on Thursday posted a picture of the engravings on social media.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2026

The backdrop reflects the high and widely varying policy rates across G-10 economies following the post-COVID-19 inflation surge and, more recently, the Middle East energy shock.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 10, 2026

A moment later, a ruby-red head stuck up out of the water, and what would probably have been fearsome teeth to someone else grinned widely at her.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

• broadly
• commonly
• generally
• universally