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

See Examples For:

widely

In fact, the diets of different groups of hunter-gatherers varied widely.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

When she rebuffs him by calling him an animal, he smiles widely, showcasing fangs one could rightly describe as gorgeous, and coos, “We are all animals, my lady.”

From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026

But lighting products designed with the particular characteristics that might help prevent myopia are not yet widely available.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026

She was sitting down in her stately Oaxaca home when we connected over Zoom, and smiled widely the moment I brought up my metaphysical query.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

Wanting to share their techniques even more widely, Elizebeth and William also started writing pamphlets about code breaking.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

• broadly
• commonly
• generally
• universally