Wide means extending far from side to side, or having a large distance between edges. A wide river is difficult to cross because there's so much water stretching between the banks. A wide smile spreads all the way across someone's face, showing how happy they feel. A wide hallway gives plenty of room for students to pass without bumping into each other.

The word helps us understand space and measurement. A wide road might fit four cars across, while a narrow road fits only one. When someone spreads their arms wide, they stretch them as far apart as possible. A wide receiver in football runs far to the side of the field to catch passes. To give something a wide berth means to avoid going near it.

Wide can also describe range or variety. A library with a wide selection of books offers many different genres and topics. Someone with wide experience has tried many different things. When you read widely, you explore all kinds of books and subjects, not just one favorite topic.

The opposite of wide is narrow. A narrow path through the woods barely fits one person, while a wide path might fit three people walking side by side. Understanding this contrast helps you picture exactly how much space something takes up.

Note: wide is usually an adjective or adverb, not a noun.