widder
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Of greater width; extending over a larger area from side to side.
More extensive in range, scope, or variety; less limited or restricted.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily the comparative form of 'wide'. Can describe physical dimensions, metaphorical breadth (e.g., interests, appeal), or a margin or gap (e.g., a wider lead).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Minor spelling preferences in related compounds (e.g., 'widescreen' consistent).
Connotations
Neutral in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common and core in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] wider than [NP][make] [NP] wider[grow/become] wider[NP] has wider [NP] (e.g., has wider applications)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cast a wider net”
- “a wider berth (give a wider berth)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to discuss market reach, product ranges, or profit margins (e.g., 'We need a wider customer base.').
Academic
Used to discuss research scope, implications, or applicability of theories (e.g., 'The study has wider significance for the field.').
Everyday
Used for physical descriptions, choices, and social contexts (e.g., 'We need a wider table for the family dinner.').
Technical
Used in engineering, design, and IT for specifications (e.g., 'The new model features a wider track width.')
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council plans to widen the pavement next year.
- Her eyes widened in surprise at the news.
American English
- The city will widen the highway to reduce congestion.
- His smile widened as he read the letter.
adverb
British English
- He spread his arms wider to show the size.
- The door was opened wider to let in the breeze.
American English
- She grinned wider for the camera.
- You need to search wider for the best results.
adjective
British English
- We offer a wider choice of organic vegetables here.
- The politician sought wider public support for the policy.
American English
- We need a wider driveway for two cars.
- The report had wider consequences than anyone predicted.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My new bed is wider than my old one.
- Please open the window wider.
- This supermarket has a wider selection of international foods.
- The gap between the rich and poor is growing wider.
- The investigation took a much wider turn, involving several government departments.
- To solve this problem, we must consider the wider economic context.
- The new legislation is expected to have far wider ramifications for the tech industry.
- Her thesis proposes a wider reinterpretation of the historical events leading to the conflict.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a river that gets WIDER as it flows; the 'I' in wider is like an island making the river seem broader.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE IS A CONTAINER ('He has a wider knowledge of history.'); IMPORTANCE/SIGNIFICANCE IS SIZE ('The wider issue is climate change.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'больше' (more/bigger) for non-physical breadth; use 'шире' for both physical and metaphorical width.
- Do not confuse with 'wilder' (more wild).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'more wide' instead of the correct comparative 'wider'.
- Confusing spelling: 'wider' vs. 'writer'.
- Using 'wide' when a comparative is needed (e.g., 'This road is wide' vs. 'This road is wider than that one').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'wider' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'wider' is commonly used metaphorically to describe non-physical concepts such as range, appeal, implications, or understanding (e.g., wider experience, wider audience).
They are often synonymous, especially metaphorically. 'Wider' more directly relates to physical width or numerical range. 'Broader' can sound slightly more formal and is often preferred for abstract concepts like knowledge, themes, or shoulders.
No, the standard and correct comparative form of the one-syllable adjective 'wide' is 'wider'. 'More wide' is grammatically incorrect.
Use it to discuss the scope, relevance, or implications of research (e.g., 'This finding has wider applications in the field of medicine', 'The study should be repeated with a wider sample size').