ENGLISH
REFERENCE

widely

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈwaɪdɫi// UK //wˈaɪdli// wide·ly General-service

adv. over a large area or by a lot of people. You use it to show that something is common or happens in many places.

adv. to a great degree or extent; across a broad range of locations or among a large number of people.


SIMPLE

The new phone is widely available in stores.

CONTEXTUAL

The scientist's theories are widely accepted by the international research community.

COMPLEX

Although the species was once widely distributed across the continent, habitat loss has restricted its current population to a few isolated mountain ranges.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English wijdly, equivalent to wide + -ly.

Usage

Typically placed before a past participle or an adjective to indicate extent.

Pitfall

It is wide knownIt is widely knownUse the adverb form 'widely' to modify an adjective or participle, not the adjective 'wide'.

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