wide

comparative wider · comparative more wide · superlative widest · superlative most wide

1. Having a large physical extent from side to side.

   We walked down a wide corridor.

   2 more examples

   Over a wider region either side of the path of totality, a partial eclipse is seen.

   1993, Jacqueline Mitton, The Penguin Dictionary of Astronomy, 2nd edition (paperback), Penguin Books, →ISBN, page 127

   Former Vice President Joe Biden's lead in the race for the Democratic nomination for president has rebounded, and now stands at its widest margin since April, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

   2019 October 23, Jennifer Ageista, “CNN Poll: Biden's lead in Democratic primary hits widest margin since April”, in CNN

2. Large in scope.

   The inquiry had a wide remit.

   3 more examples

   The single-imaging optic of the mammalian eye offers some distinct visual advantages. Such lenses can take in photons from a wide range of angles, increasing light sensitivity. They also have high spatial resolution, resolving incoming images in minute detail.

   2013 July-August, Fenella Saunders, “Tiny Lenses See the Big Picture”, in American Scientist, archived from the original on 05 Sep 2015

   Three-way girls offered the widest array of services. One twenty-two-year-old prostitute declared to an undercover vice investigator in New York City, "I am a three-way girl."

   2014, Jessica R. Pliley, Policing Sexuality, page 192

   Lizzo, who is known for messages of self-love and wider acceptance, has recently said as much as she shared that she is encouraging a stance of body neutrality for herself and others.

   2023 May 29, Madeline Holcombe, “Lizzo is teaching us about body neutrality. Here is what it means and how to get there”, in CNN

3. derogatoryhumorousslangOverweight, obese.
4. hobbiesOperating at the side of the playing area.

   That team needs a decent wide player.

5. On one side or the other of the mark; too far sideways from the mark, the wicket, the batsman, etc.

   Two balls before lunch, he bowled a wide.

   3 more examples

   Too bad! That was a great passing-shot, but it's wide.

   Surely he shoots wide on the Bow-Hand.

   1596 (date written; published 1633), Edmund Spenser, A Vewe of the Present State of Irelande […], Dublin: […] Societie of Stationers, […], →OCLC; republished as A View of the State of Ireland […] (Ancient Irish Histories), Dublin: […] Society of Stationers, […] Hibernia Press, […] [b]y John Morrison, 1809, →OCLC

   I was but two bows wide.

   1656, Thomas Middleton, William Rowley, Philip Massinger, The Old Law

6. datedhuman sciencesMade, as a vowel, with a less tense, and more open and relaxed, condition of the organs in the mouth.
7. Northern EnglandScotlandarchaicVast, great in extent, extensive.

   The wide, lifeless expanse.

8. obsoleteLocated some distance away; distant, far.First known use 15th–19th c.

   Mr Hunt's house, you know, lies wide from Harlowe-place.

   1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter LXXXI”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   the contrary [being] so wide from the truth of Scripture and the attributes of God

   1654, H[enry] Hammond, Of Fundamentals in a Notion Referring to Practise, London: […] J[ames] Flesher for Richard Royston, […], →OCLC

9. obsoleteFar from truth, propriety, necessity, etc.

   How wide is all this long pretence!

   [1633], George Herbert, edited by [Nicholas Ferrar], The Temple. Sacred Poems, and Private Ejaculations, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Thomas Buck and Roger Daniel; and are to be sold by Francis Green, […], →OCLC

   2 more examples

   And I trust anon by the help of an infallible guide, to perfect such Prutenic tables, as shall mend the astronomy of our wide expositors.

   1643, J[ohn] M[ilton], The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce: […], London: […] T[homas] P[aine] and M[atthew] S[immons] […], →OCLC

   But I tell you, it is farre wyde, that the people haue ſuche iudgmentes, the Byſhoppes they coulde laughe at it.

   1549 April 22 (Gregorian calendar), Hughe Latymer [i.e., Hugh Latimer], Augustine Bernher, compiler, “[27 Sermons Preached by the Ryght Reuerende Father in God and Constant Matir of Iesus Christe, Maister Hugh Latimer, […].] The Syxte Sermon of Maister Hugh Latymer, whiche He Preached before K. Edward [VI], the XII. Day of Aprill.”, in Certayn Godly Sermons, Made uppon the Lords Prayer, […], London: […] John Day, […], published 1562, →OCLC, folio 75, verso

10. computingOf or supporting a greater range of text characters than can fit into the traditional 8-bit representation.

    a wide character; a wide stream

11. UKslangSharp-witted.

    But the first visitor to penetrate from the outside world proved to be Sergeant Williams; large and pink and scrubbed-looking; and for a little while Grant forgot about battles long ago and considered wide boys alive today.

    1951, Josephine Tey, The Daughter of Time, page 31

comparative wider · superlative widest

1. Extensively.

   He travelled far and wide.

2. Completely.

   He was wide awake.

3. Away from or to one side of a given goal.

   The arrow fell wide of the mark.

   2 more examples

   A few shots were fired but they all went wide.

   The Reds carved the first opening of the second period as Glen Johnson's pull-back found David Ngog but the Frenchman hooked wide from six yards.

   2010 December 29, Sam Sheringham, “Liverpool 0 - 1 Wolverhampton”, in BBC

4. So as to leave or have a great space between the sides; so as to form a large opening.

   And with his knee the dore he opens wide

   1594, William Shakespeare, Lucrece (First Quarto), London: […] Richard Field, for Iohn Harrison, […], →OCLC, line 359

plural wides

1. ball gamesA ball that passes so far from the batsman that the umpire deems it unplayable; the arm signal used by an umpire to signal a wide; the extra run added to the batting side's score