■ adjective ( ~r , ~st )
1》 of great or more than average width.
↘(after a measurement and in questions) from side to side.
↘open to the full extent: ~ eyes.
2》 including a great variety of people or things.
↘spread among a large number or over a large area: ~r share ownership.
↘considering or dealing with the more general aspects of a situation, issue, etc.
↘[in combination ] extending over the whole of: industry-~.
3》 at a considerable or specified distance from a point or mark.
↘(especially in football) at or near the side of the field.
■ adverb
1》 to the full extent.
2》 far from a particular point or mark.
↘(especially in football) at or near the side of the field.
■ noun (also ~ ball ) Cricket a ball that is judged to be too ~ of the stumps for the batsman to play.
Phrases
~ awake fully awake.
~ of the mark a long way from an intended target.
↘inaccurate.
~ open
1》 (of a contest) of which the outcome is not predictable.
2》 vulnerable to attack.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
widish adjective
Origin
OE wīd 'spacious, extensive', wīde 'over a large area', of Gmc origin.