Wide meaning in English

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Definition

wide: broad, extensive, big in width adjective
Open wide and say "aaaahh". I need to see right inside your mouth!

Examples

  • "Jason : There's a wide variety of openings."
  • "The "power suit" originated in the 1980s, and was typified by wide shoulder pads and sharp angles."
  • "The wide spiral staircase that rises up through the building is spectacular."
  • "Philip : A little wider there Icarus, this is going to be a three-pointer."
  • "I brought my eyes wide shut mask and everything!"
  • "However, I would like to offer you a voucher for $1 off your next purchase from our wide soup range."
  • "You open your mouth real wide, and I see if I can hit it with one of these tasty little chocolates."
  • "We do have a wide selection of beverages: red wine, white wine, vodka, whiskey, cognac, apple juice, orange juice, ginger ale, soda, even Fresca."
  • "Dr. Loblaw : Okay Mr. Connors, open wide and say "ahh"."
  • "Delavigne is a company on the rise: we're finding new partners every day, our distribution network is wider than ever, and we are expanding our presence in Asian markets considerably."
Exercise 1
Philip says "A little wider there Icarus".

When Philip says this he means:

Philip says "A little wider there Icarus".

When Philip says this he means:
The expression "a little wider" does not mean "turn your head a little".
The expression "a little wider" does not mean "you're going to love this".
Telling someone to "calm down a bit" expresses that you want them to "settle down" or "relax a small amount". The expression "a little wider" does not mean "calm down a bit".
The term "wide" indicates something "broad", "expansive", or "large". Example: The road was very wide, with six lanes on either side. A "wide-open" mouth is a mouth that is very open. Note: The term "wide" can also express a range or selection of something. Example: The store has a wide range of products.
Exercise 2
Choose all the TRUE statements from the list below.

There may be more than one.

Choose all the TRUE statements from the list below.

There may be more than one.
This is a true statement. Brent explains to Candy that "in the winter, water freezes and turns to ice". Candy replies "that's good to know Brent, thanks for the tip". A "tip" is a useful piece of information. The fact that Candy thanks Brent for the "tip" indicates that Candy didn't know that when water freezes it turns to ice. Moreover, Candy wasn't aware that the plain of snow and ice she was looking at was actually Lake Baikal, the lake she had been looking for.
This statement is false. Moira is indeed out of the studio, however she is not on holiday. Brent tells us she is "out sick" or "ill". Please note that in British English, the expression to be "off sick" is more widely used. Example: Moira is off sick today, so Brent will do the report alone. Brent also specifies that Moira has "laryngitis", an inflammation of the larynx and vocal chords.
This is a true statement. Candy tells Brent that "sub-zero temperatures can last up to 6 months" in Siberia. The prefix "sub" means "under", and precedes terms such as "submarine", "subway" and "subcontract". The verb "to last" describes the duration of something (in this case freezing temperatures) Example: Daylight can last up to 24 hours a day in Northern Sweden. Candy is telling Brent that the temperature stays below zero-degrees for 6 months (or half a year) in Siberia.
This statement is false. Brent tells Candy that he has heard that the "deepest lake in the world" is near Irkutsk. The terms "deep", "deeper", and "deepest" refer to a vertical measurement (from the surface of the water to the bottom). The terms "wide" and "width" refer to a lateral or horizontal measurement (from one side of the surface to the other). The lake with the largest surface area happens to be in America and is called Lake Superior. It's not surprising really, everything always has to be bigger in America.
Exercise 3
From the list below, select the reason(s) Susie gives for liking the name "Crème de la Crème".

There may be more than one correct answer!

From the list below, select the reason(s) Susie gives for liking the name "Crème de la Crème".

There may be more than one correct answer!
This statement is true. In the dialogue, Susie says that this name "appeals to a wide base of consumers". If something "appeals to you", this means that you "like it" or "find it attractive". The term "wide" means "varied" in this context. A "base of consumers" is a "collection of customers". Susie is therefore saying that "Crème de la Crème" will be an attractive name for a large variety of customers'.
This is one of the reasons Susie gives for liking this name. She says that it "explains the product well", meaning that when we read the name "Crème de la Crème", we can imagine that this is a great face cream.
This is a good choice. Susie tells us that "Crème de la Crème" is "classy". Something "classy" is "elegant" or "stylish". Here's another example: "My girlfriend took me out to dinner at a classy restaurant last night. Unfortunately, the food was nouvelle cuisine".
Susie does not describe "Crème de la Crème" as "disturbing" ("bothersome", "shocking", or "upsetting"). She is talking about "Skinternet" when she makes this negative comment.
This is not a good choice here. Susie criticises the name "Creamy Dreamy Cream", saying that it "sounds like an ice cream flavour". She is not impressed, and she is not talking about the name "Crème de la Crème".
Exercise 4
Fill in the blank with a term from the article you have just read!

This term means "broad" or "expansive". It's the OPPOSITE of "narrow" or "thin": " trousers or pants known as "flares" or "bellbottoms" were popular in the 1970s."

Fill in the blank with a term from the article you have just read!

This term means "broad" or "expansive". It's the OPPOSITE of "narrow" or "thin": "wide trousers or pants known as "flares" or "bellbottoms" were popular in the 1970s."
wide: "Wide" is the term we were looking for here. If something is "wide", it is "broad", "expansive", "thick", or has a large diameter. Example: "Motorways are wider than country roads". When we visit the dentist, we are often asked to "open (our mouths) wide". The term "wide" can also be used figuratively. Example: "Delavigne perfumes appeal to a wide range of customers".
Exercise 5
Susan accuses Sigourney of being "narrow minded". Let's take a closer look at this expression!

First, find the literal meaning of the term "narrow".
For example, if a street is "narrow", this means it: .

Next, what does the expression "narrow minded" mean in the context of the dialogue?
Susie is saying that she thinks Sigourney .
Susan accuses Sigourney of being "narrow minded". Let's take a closer look at this expression!

First, find the literal meaning of the term "narrow".
For example, if a street is "narrow", this means it: has a limited width 1.

Next, what does the expression "narrow minded" mean in the context of the dialogue?
Susie is saying that she thinks Sigourney is intolerant 2.
1 has a limited width: This is the best choice here. When something is "narrow", it is "not wide" or has a "limited width". This adjective can be used to describe many things, including passage ways and even trousers! In some circumstances it shares a similar meaning with "slim" or "thin". Example: "There is a very narrow gap between my desk and my colleague's desk".
1 is very long: If something is "long", it is "tall" or "big in length". This does not share a similar meaning with the term "narrow".
1 is very wide: If something is "wide" it is "broad" or "has a large width". This is in fact the opposite of the term "narrow".
1 has lots of tall buildings: This is not the best choice here. The fact that a street has tall buildings is unrelated to it being "narrow" or otherwise.
2 is intolerant: This is the best choice here. To be "narrow minded" is to have a limited view-point of an issue, or to be prejudiced. Example: "My parents are very narrow-minded people, and they don't like my boyfriend because he has long hair".
2 wants to fight: Although Sigourney is rather aggressive in this dialogue, the term "narrow-minded" does not describe someone who wants to "fight" or "argue".
2 isn't very intelligent: This is not the best answer here. The term "narrow-minded" does not describe someone who is "stupid" or "not intelligent".
2 is selfish: This is not the best answer here. The term "narrow-minded" does not describe someone who is "selfish" or "thinks only of themselves".

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