Wide vs Large: Difference and Comparison

Is there a difference between wide and large (wide vs large)?

Whenever wide or large is mentioned in a conversation, it generally involves comparing sizes. Wide and large are words that can be used interchangeably.

The term “wide” according to the Oxford Dictionary, means having a large physical extent from side to side. A thing that is considered wide is large by its width.

The English dictionary also defines the term “large” as being considerable or relatively, great size or extent. Large refers to the overall size or volume of something- something of enormous size.

The size of an object is one of the main distinctive features that differentiates it from the other. We compare the sizes of items when it matters when size is a factor for achieving results.

Size can offer an advantage in situations where it’s required. However, it’s also important to specify based on size, if an object or an item is large or wide.

Size depends on the object and when something is considered large, its size is above average.

We have discussed the difference between wide and large, with a few examples of sentences.

What Is the Meaning of Wide?

The English dictionary defines the term “wide” (adjective) as having a large physical extent from side to side. It also refers to being large in scope.

Wide describes objects that have a larger horizontal side than the vertical side. It’s a word also used to describe a variety of things or a broad range.

In sports, the word refers to the act of operating at the side of the playing area. As an adverb, the word means completely or extensively.

In cricket, wide refers to a ball that passes so far from the batsman that the umpire deems it unplayable; the arm signal used by an umpire to signal a wide; the extra run added to the batting side’s score.

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Etymology

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “wide” is a word from Middle English, from Old English “wid” akin to Old High German “wit”.

What Is the Meaning of Large?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term “large” means “of considerable or relatively, great size or extent”.

Large refers to the overall size or volume of something- something of enormous size. When we refer to something as being large, it means that it’s larger than the average size.

Large objects or items are distinct due to their sizes. We conclude that something is large because we have compared its average size with its current size.

Generally, large means above the average size, more than the expected size. It’s an occurring distinctive feature that differentiates an object, animal, building, and vehicle from the average-sized ones.

Etymology

According to Merriam-Webster, the term “large” comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French, wide, generous, broad; from the Latin word “largus” plentiful, generous.

Wide vs Large: Difference between Wide and Large

Generally, there isn’t much difference between wide and large. Both words are used when we are talking about sizes that are above average.

The term “wide” is an adjective and it means “as having a large physical extent from side to side”. It also refers to being large in scope.

Wide describes objects that have a larger horizontal side than the vertical side. It’s a word also used to describe a variety of things or a broad range.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term “large” means “of considerable or relatively, great size or extent”.

Large refers to the overall size or volume of something- something of enormous size. When we refer to something as being large, it means that it’s larger than the average size.

Generally, large means above the average size, more than the expected size. It’s an occurring distinctive feature that differentiates an object, animal, building, and vehicle from the average-sized ones.

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Wide vs Large: More Difference

Wide is a word that refers to measurements, specifically having a large physical extent from side to side.

Large is a word that generally indicates the overall capacity, extent, or magnitude of an object.

While large can be used to describe the total area of a place (country, state, region, and county), or the volume of a container, wide can be used to refer to the measurements (for example, the wingspan of a bird or an aeroplane and the width of a road).

When we refer to something as being wide, we are looking at the horizontal dimension or its breadth. For example, a river that is wide simply indicates an enormous distance between the river banks.

But when we use the word “large” in conversations, we are talking about the overall size and not specifically referring to a particular dimension.

For example, by referring to a river as being large, we are not talking about its width but its entire length, depth and volume of water in the river.

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Wide vs Large: Comparison Chart

	Wide	Large
Definition	As having a large physical extent from side to side. It also refers to being large in scope.	Considerable or relatively, great size or extent.
Dimension emphasis	Horizontal dimension or breadth	No specific dimension as it includes the height, width, and volume.
Usage context	Measurement, breadth	Magnitude, capacity, or extent
Figurative usage	Scope, variety	Significance or degree

Wide vs Large: Examples of Sentences with Wide and Large

Let’s look at some examples of sentences with the terms “wide” and “large”.

Examples of Sentences with Wide

• The street was wide enough for two trucks to drive past each other.
• As a private university, they offer a wide range of academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• The aeroplane’s wingspan was too wide to enter the hangar.
• They are building a new bridge, one that would be wide enough for easy movement of vehicles.
• Micah had to take a wide turn to avoid hitting the protesters.
• Whenever you change your mind, our door is wide open to welcome your presence.
• The dirt road is not wide enough for RV’s and any kind of large vehicle.
• Maria came to the party with a wide smile on her face.

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Examples of Sentences with Large

• Algeria is a large country in North Africa, one of the largest in the world.
• The F.A. had to cancel the football match because the home team’s stadium was not large enough to host games.
• He came into the casino with a large bag containing cash and expensive jewellery.
• He has a large appetite for a ten-year-old.
• His father is rich and they are living in a large house in a gated community.
• They order a large pizza from the new restaurant downtown.
• He had to work for over twenty minutes, clearing large amounts of snow from the driveway.
• They threw a large rock into the community pond and they were fined for their reckless act.

Conclusion

Generally, there isn’t much difference between wide and large. Both words are used when we are talking about sizes that are above average.

Wide describes objects that have a larger horizontal side than the vertical side. It’s a word also used to describe a variety of things or a broad range. When we refer to something as being wide, we are looking at the horizontal dimension or its breadth.

Large refers to the overall size or volume of something- something of enormous size. When we refer to something as being large, it means that it’s larger than the average size.

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References

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Large