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Suffix · forms adjectives / adverbs

-wide

Forms adjectives and adverbs meaning "extending throughout, covering the whole of": nationwide, worldwide, citywide, statewide, industry-wide.

In Spanish: a nivel de / throughoutBasic

Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated

What does -wide add?

-wide comes from the adjective "wide" (broad, extensive). Attached to a place or group noun it creates a modifier meaning "covering or extending throughout that entire scope": • nation + wide = nationwide = covering the whole nation • world + wide = worldwide = covering the whole world • city + wide = citywide = covering the whole city • industry + wide = industry-wide = affecting the whole industry The result works as an adjective ("a nationwide survey") or an adverb ("the campaign spread nationwide").

-wide in journalism and academic writing

In news and essays, -wide compounds efficiently convey scope in a single word: "A countrywide blackout," "a statewide emergency," "a company-wide restructuring." Spelling note: short, established compounds write as one word (nationwide, worldwide, citywide, statewide). Longer or less established ones take a hyphen: industry-wide, company-wide, university-wide.

Worldwide: adjective and adverb

"Worldwide" is the most frequently encountered -wide compound. It functions both as an adjective ("worldwide fame," "worldwide distribution") and as an adverb ("the product sold worldwide," "the disease spread worldwide"). In formal and literary writing it is an elegant alternative to "global" or "international" when you wish to stress that something reaches every corner of the world.

How it is formed

Noun (territory or domain) + wide.

  • nation + wide
    nationwide
  • world + wide
    worldwide
  • city + wide
    citywide

Fairly productive: almost any territory or domain noun can combine with -wide.

How it is pronounced

-wide/waɪd/ · sounds like "wide"

Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.

Examples

  • nationnationwideA nationwide search was launched for the missing child.
  • worldworldwideThe book became a worldwide bestseller overnight.
  • citycitywideA citywide curfew was imposed after the protests.
  • statestatewideThe drought triggered a statewide water restriction.
  • industryindustry-wideIndustry-wide reforms are needed to address the crisis.
  • countrycountrywideThe initiative aims for countrywide coverage by next year.
  • companycompany-wideA company-wide email announced the new policy.

Common mistakes

world-wide / nation-wide
worldwide / nationwide

Established compounds write as one word: worldwide, nationwide, citywide, statewide. Use a hyphen only for longer or less common compounds: industry-wide, company-wide.

a worldwide of problems
a worldwide problem / problems worldwide

"Worldwide" is an adjective or adverb, never a noun. "A worldwide problem" (adjective) or "problems worldwide" (adverb).

A trick to remember it

"-wide" = covers that entire territory with no gaps. Picture a map painted a single color from edge to edge: world + wide, nation + wide.

Practise what you learned

Exercise 1 · Form the word

Fill in: "The company launched a ___ campaign." (covering the whole country)

Hint: Nation + wide, no hyphen.

Exercise 2 · Pick the right one

Which spelling is correct for "affecting the whole company"?

Exercise 3 · Form the word

Fill in: "The disease spread ___." (across the whole world, adverb)

Hint: "Worldwide" functions as an adverb here.

Frequently asked questions

What does the suffix -wide mean in English?

The suffix -wide forms adjectives and adverbs meaning "extending throughout, covering the whole of": nationwide, worldwide, citywide, statewide, industry-wide. In Spanish it usually maps to a nivel de / throughout.

How do you pronounce -wide?

The ending -wide is pronounced /waɪd/ · sounds like "wide". For example, "nationwide".

Can you give an example of a word with -wide?

"nation" becomes "nationwide". It is a typical example of the -wide suffix.

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