Reading Theme:
Widely Meaning, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：extensively (widely)
widely
/ˈwaɪdli/
adv.
Known, used, or believed in many different places or by many different people.
extensively
➕
/ɪkˈstɛnsɪvli/
adv.
Involving many different places or a large number of people.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
wide (broad) + -ly (adverb suffix) => meaning 'in a broad manner'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'wide' + 'ly' = covering a wide area or many people.
📖 Example
The expert's advice on healthy eating is widely followed by people around the world.
People all around the world extensively follow the expert's advice on healthy eating.
🔗 Collocations
widely used – used in many places or by many people
widely known – known by many people
widely accepted – accepted by many people
🔄 Synonyms
extensively (adv.) – over a large area or to a large degree
broadly (adv.) – in a wide range or variety
universally (adv.) – by everyone or in every place
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Old English 'wid' meaning 'vast'. In modern usage, 'widely' often appears in academic and formal contexts to indicate general acceptance or extensive distribution.
Meaning 2：to a great extent (widely)
widely
/ˈwaɪdli/
adv.
To a great degree or by a large number of people.
to a great extent
➕
/tuː ə ɡreɪt ɪkˈstɛnt/
adv.
To a large degree or by a large number of people.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
It is widely agreed that smartphones have changed the way we communicate.
There is extensive agreement that smartphones have transformed our communication.
🔗 Collocations
widely believed – believed by many people
widely recognized – recognized by many people
widely considered – considered by many people
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
rarely (adv.) – not often
seldom (adv.) – not frequently
occasionally (adv.) – sometimes but not often
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