Word
width
US/ˈwɪdθ/
UK/wˈɪdθ/
Definitions
01measurement from side to side
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the distance from one side of an object to the other.
n. the measurement of the extent of something from side to side; the physical dimension of breadth.
日本語:幅※
“The width of the table is exactly one metre.”
“The architect carefully measured the width of the hallway to ensure it would accommodate wheelchair access according to local building regulations.”
Usage
Often used with 'of' to describe a specific object.
02a single trip across a pool
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports
n. the distance across a swimming pool from one side to the other.
n. the distance across a swimming pool as a unit of exercise, distinct from a length.
日本語:幅※
“The children had to swim two widths of the pool to get their first badge.”
“After completing his warm-up laps, he practiced several widths of the pool using only his legs to build strength.”
Usage
Commonly used in the context of swimming lessons or casual exercise.
Antonyms
03using the full pitch
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Sports Technical
n. using the whole space from one side of the field to the other in sports like football.
n. the tactical use of the full lateral extent of the playing area to stretch the opposing team's defence.
日本語:幅※
“The team played with a lot of width to get around the defenders.”
“The manager instructed the wingers to stay near the touchline, providing the width necessary to pull the compact defensive block apart.”
Usage
Usually appears in sports commentary or tactical analysis.
04fabric measurement
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical
n. a piece of cloth measured from one finished edge to the other.
n. a standard unit of fabric as measured across its smaller dimension from selvage to selvage.
“You will need three widths of this fabric to make the curtains for the large window.”
“The dressmaker calculated that the pattern would require two full widths of silk, accounting for the intricate pleating required at the waist.”
Usage
Often used when calculating how much material is needed for curtains or upholstery.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “width” in context.
Verb
01. adjust the width
“You can easily adjust the width of the columns in the spreadsheet to fit your data.”
verb + noun
02. measure the width
“The carpenter carefully measured the width of the door frame before cutting the wood.”
verb + noun
03. span the width
“A magnificent stone bridge spans the width of the river at its narrowest point.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. considerable width
“The boulevard is of considerable width, allowing for multiple lanes of traffic and wide sidewalks.”
adj + noun
05. uniform width
“Ensure that the margins are of uniform width throughout the entire document.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. hair's width
“The two cars missed each other by a hair's width in the narrow alleyway.”
noun + noun
07. width of the road
“The width of the road was insufficient for two large trucks to pass each other safely.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. across the width
“The banner was stretched tightly across the width of the stage.”
prep + noun
09. width quality
Real-World Examples
“It measures approximately 11 centimeters long, six centimeters in width, and about three centimeters thick.” “And the projected image was about twice the width of the previous standard.” Etymology
PIE word *dwóh₁ From wide + -th (abstract nominal suffix), possibly by analogy with Old Norse vídd (“width”), though this is unlikely, as the word is not attested before the end of the 16th century and was historically unknown in Scots and the traditional dialect of Northern England, where one would expect Old Norse influence to be the strongest (these varieties traditionally employed wideness instead). Replaced Middle English wide, wyde (“width”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/width
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0