widely
- 1Among many people, in many places, or by a large amount.
Like a piece of news that almost everyone has heard about.
The song became widely known after it played on the show.
This kind of phone is widely used by people today.
UsageOften comes before words like known and used: widely known, widely used.
Similargenerally, commonly, broadly, universally, greatly
- 2Over a large area, or covering a lot of space.
Like spreading butter over a whole slice of bread, not just one corner.
The farmer spread the seeds widely over the whole field.
The fire spread widely before the crews arrived.
UsageSay open wide (not
incorrect: open widely). Use widely for things spread over a big area.Similarbroadly, extensively
Oppositenarrowly
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of widely apart? Answer 2 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
From an older English word, made from "wide" plus "-ly".
Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Widely comes from an older English form and is formed from wide plus -ly. en.wiktionary.org