2
VERB
If you
widen
something or if it
widens
, it becomes greater in range or it affects a larger number of people or things. □ [V
n]
3
VERB
If your eyes
widen
, they open more. □ [V
]
4
VERB
If a difference or gap
widens
or if something
widens
it, it becomes greater. □ [V
]
wi
de-ra
nging
ADJ
If you describe something as
wide-ranging
, you mean it deals with or affects a great variety of different things. □
wide|screen /wa I dskriːn/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A widescreen television has a screen that is wide in relation to its height.
wide|spread
◆◇◇ /wa
I
dspred/ ADJ
Something that is
widespread
exists or happens over a large area, or to a great extent. □
widg|et /w I dʒ I t/ (widgets )
1
N‑COUNT
You can refer to any small device as a
widget
when you do not know exactly what it is or how it works. [INFORMAL
] □
2
N‑COUNT
A
widget
is a small computer program that you can use on a personal computer or mobile phone. [COMPUTING
] □
wid|ow /w I doʊ/ (widows ) N‑COUNT A widow is a woman whose spouse has died and who has not married again.
wid|owed
/w
I
doʊd/ V-PASSIVE
If someone
is widowed
, their husband or wife dies. □ [
wid|ow|er /w I doʊə r / (widowers ) N‑COUNT A widower is a man whose spouse has died and who has not married again.
wid|ow|hood
/w
I
doʊhʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT
Widowhood
is the state of being a widow or widower, or the period of time during which someone is a widow or widower. □
width /w I dθ/ (widths )
1
N‑VAR
The
width
of something is the distance it measures from one side or edge to the other. □ [+
2
N‑UNCOUNT
[usu with poss] The
width
of something is its quality of being wide. □
3
N‑COUNT
A
width
is the distance from one side of a swimming pool to the other. □
wield /wiː ld/ (wields , wielding , wielded )
1
VERB
If you
wield
a weapon, tool, or piece of equipment, you carry and use it. □ [V
n]
2
VERB
If someone
wields
power, they have it and are able to use it. □ [V
n]
wie|nie /wiː ni/ (wienies ) also weenie N‑COUNT Wienies are sausages made from smoked beef or pork. [AM ]
wife ◆◆◆ /wa I f/ (wives )
1
N‑COUNT
[usu with poss] Someone's
wife
is the woman they are married to. □
2 → see also old wives' tale COLLOCATIONS wife NOUN 1