B2adverb2K

Widely

UK /["/ˈwaɪdli/"]/US /["/ˈwaɪdli/"]/

Definition

by a lot of people; in or to many places

In simple words: A word that means many people or places.

Examples

The concept of democracy is widely accepted around the world.
She is widely regarded as the best athlete in her field.
Widely different cultures can lead to fascinating interactions.
The new app is widely used by students to manage their time effectively.
Despite the criticism, the idea was widely supported by the audience.

Usage notes

Use 'widely' to describe something that is common or popular in many areas. It is not typically used in very formal writing or speech.

Grammar pattern

widely + verb

Memory hint

Sounds like 'wide-lee' — imagine a wide field where many things grow.

Collocations

widely accepted
widely regarded
widely available
widely used
widely known

Synonyms

broadly
extensively
commonly
generally
universally

Antonyms

narrowly
limitedly

Common mistakes

Confused with 'widely-known' as if it means the same thing.
Using 'widely' when talking about one specific place or person.
Misplacing 'widely' in a sentence, making it unclear.