Widespread - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Widespread means existing or happening over a large area or among many people. It describes something that is common, extensive, or far-reaching, such as a widespread belief or a widespread problem.
Definition:
Existing or happening over a large area or among many people.
Synonyms:
extensive, prevalent, ubiquitous, far-reaching
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
limited, rare
Common Collocations:
widespread use, widespread support, widespread damage, widespread belief, widespread concern
Derivatives:
widely (adverb), wideness (noun)
Usage Tips:
Use "widespread" to describe something affecting many places or people, not just isolated instances.
Common Phrases:
widespread panic, widespread acceptance, widespread influence
Etymology:
From Old English "wīd" (wide) + "spredan" (to spread), meaning broadly distributed.
Examples:
- 1. The news of the discovery caused widespread excitement among scientists.
- 2. Pollution has led to widespread damage to marine life in the region.
- 3. The disease became widespread due to lack of proper healthcare measures.
- 4. There is widespread agreement that climate change requires urgent action globally.