adj., adv., & n.
adj. 1 a measuring much or more than other things of the same kind across or from side to side. b considerable; more than is needed (a wide margin). 2 (following a measurement) in width (a metre wide). 3 extending far; embracing much; of great extent (has a wide range; has wide experience; reached a wide public). 4 not tight or close or restricted; loose. 5 a free, liberal; unprejudiced (takes wide views). b not specialized; general. 6 open to the full extent (staring with wide eyes). 7 a (foll. by of) not within a reasonable distance of. b at a considerable distance from a point or mark. 8 Brit. sl. shrewd; skilled in sharp practice (wide boy). 9 (in comb.) extending over the whole of (nationwide).
adv. 1 widely. 2 to the full extent (wide awake). 3 far from the target etc. (is shooting wide).
n. 1 Cricket a ball judged to pass the wicket beyond the batsman's reach and so scoring a run. 2 (prec. by the) the wide world. give a wide berth to see BERTH. wide-angle (of a lens) having a short focal length and hence a field covering a wide angle. wide awake 1 fully awake. 2 colloq. wary, knowing. wide ball Cricket (sense 1 of n.). wide-eyed surprised or naïve. wide of the mark see MARK(1). wide open (often foll. by to) exposed or vulnerable (to attack etc.). wide-ranging covering an extensive range. the wide world all the world great as it is. wideness n. widish adj.
[ OE wid (adj.), wide (adv.) f. Gmc ]