widely

widely — adverb

1. in a way that involves a large number of different locations, individuals, or to

1.adverbB1
Definition

in a way that involves a large number of different locations, individuals, or topics at once.

Example

Smartphones are widely used by people of all ages around the world.

widely + past participle: are widely used

Bao's research on coastal erosion has been widely cited in academic journals.

perfect passive: has been widely cited

Common collocations
  • widely used
  • widely known
  • widely available
  • widely accepted
  • widely held
  • widely reported
  • widely recognized
  • widely read
  • widely praised
  • widely spread
Synonyms
  • broadly

    more common in abstract or categorical contexts; 'broadly defined' vs 'widely used'

  • extensively

    emphasises thorough coverage over a large area; slightly more formal

  • commonly

    focuses on frequency or general acceptance rather than geographic range

Antonyms
  • narrowly

    applies to a restricted range or limited group; opposite of broad coverage

  • rarely

    opposite in terms of frequency rather than range

Grammar Patterns

widely + past participle

widely + adjective

verb + widely

Usage Note

Most common in passive constructions (be widely + past participle) and before participles acting as adjectives. Frequently found in formal and academic writing.

Common Mistakes

The book is widely readed by students.
The book is widely read by students.
'read' is an irregular past participle and does not take '-ed'.
This custom is widely in this region.
This custom is widely found in this region.
'widely' cannot directly modify a prepositional phrase; it needs a verb or adjective.

2. used before words that express difference or contrast, showing that the gap or r

2.adverbB2
Definition

used before words that express difference or contrast, showing that the gap or range is very noticeable in degree.

Example

Opinions among the committee members differed widely on the proposed changes.

verb + widely: differed widely

The cost of renting a flat varies widely between the city centre and the suburbs.

Common collocations
  • differ widely
  • vary widely
  • range widely
  • widely different
  • widely varying
  • widely divergent
Synonyms
  • vastly

    emphasises an impressively large gap; 'vastly different' is slightly stronger than 'widely different'

  • greatly

    a more general intensifier that works with many verbs beyond difference

  • considerably

    stresses a degree that is significant or worth noting; a touch more formal

Antonyms
  • slightly

    a small degree of difference, opposite of a large gap

  • marginally

    a very small amount of difference; often used in formal comparisons

Grammar Patterns

widely + adjective of difference

differ / vary / range + widely

Usage Note

Does NOT combine freely with all adjectives — phrases like 'widely happy' or 'widely good' are not natural. Only pairs with words that inherently express variation, difference, or range.

Common Mistakes

The two paintings are widely same.
The two paintings are widely different.
'widely' in this sense only combines with words expressing difference, not sameness.
The prices are widely expensive.
The prices vary widely.
'expense' is a single value, not a range; use 'vary widely' to describe the spread of prices.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Widely, broadly, extensively, and commonly all describe something that reaches many people or covers a large area, but they differ in emphasis. Widely (adverb/1) is the most neutral, general term — it works for geographic spread ('widely used across Asia'), demographic reach ('widely known among teenagers'), and categorical breadth ('widely defined'). Broadly leans toward coverage of categories or types rather than physical space: 'The term is broadly defined to include several related fields.' Extensively stresses thoroughness and depth: 'The region has been extensively studied by geologists.' Commonly emphasises frequency or general acceptance: 'It is commonly believed that exercise improves sleep.' For situations where you mean 'in many different places' or 'by many different people', widely is the safest and most natural choice. If you need to stress thorough coverage, pick extensively; for categorical range, pick broadly; for frequency, pick commonly.

broadly ↗extensively ↗commonly ↗universally

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very widely
  • quite widely
  • fairly widely
  • increasingly widely
  • most widely

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Widely comes from the Old English word 'wīd', meaning 'large in extent from side to side', combined with the adverbial suffix '-līċe' (modern -ly). The root 'wīd' traces back to Proto-Germanic '*widaz', which is related to Old High German 'wīt', Dutch 'wijd', and German 'weit', all carrying the core idea of broad physical extent. By the Middle English period, 'widely' was already used both literally (for physical distance) and figuratively (for range of application or degree).