widely

[ wahyd-lee ]

adverb

1. to a wide extent.
2. over a wide space or area:

   a widely distributed plant.

3. by or among a large number of persons:

   a widely known artist.

4. in many or various subjects, cases, etc.:

   to be widely read.

5. greatly, very much, or very:

   widely differing accounts of an event.

Word History and Origins

Origin of widely¹

First recorded in 1655–65; wide + -ly

Example Sentences

It was widely reported earlier in the week he had agreed a one-year contract extension, with the belief any additional season would be added as ‘an option’.

From BBC

The brain circuitry underlying memory is widely known to differ based on biological sex, but sex-based drivers of aging and AD are still unclear.

From Science Daily

RAS inhibitors are widely and effectively used for managing high blood pressure.

From Science Daily

This is the way he has handled the entire championship, throughout which Verstappen and Red Bull’s fortunes have swung widely.

From BBC

In the meantime, Mr. Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in July, a killing widely attributed to Israel.

From New York Times

Related Words

• broadly
• commonly
• generally
• universally