widely

adverb

wide·​ly ˈwīd-lē How to pronounce widely (audio)
1
: over or through a wide area
has traveled widely
2
: to a great extent
departed widely from the previous edition
3
: by or among a large well-dispersed group of people
a widely known political figure
4
: over a broad range
persons with widely fluctuating incomesCurrent Biography

Examples of widely in a Sentence

Their products are widely available. a widely known political figure The books are widely read by adults as well as children.
Recent Examples on the Web Morley Winograd, who has written widely on millennial politics, told me that what distinguishes Gen Z-ers from members of previous generations is their multiple, overlapping identities and commitments—a pluralism that has tilted them Democratic, at least so far. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 27 June 2024 However, with advancements in manufacturing processes and the potential for economies of scale as carbon fiber becomes more widely used, the cost is expected to drop further. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 June 2024 It’s widely expected that if war breaks out now the airport will be one of Israel’s targets. Ben Wedeman, CNN, 27 June 2024 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations The late Anthony Bourdain was the widely beloved celebrity chef behind food and travel shows such as No Reservations (2005–2012) and his follow-up, Parts Unknown (2013–2018). Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 27 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for widely 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'widely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of widely was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near widely

Cite this Entry

“Widely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widely. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

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