Width is a noun referring to the measure of the extent of something from side to side. It denotes how broad a object or space is, often measured in units such as centimeters or inches. The term is commonly used across geometry, design, architecture, and everyday description to convey horizontal distance or span.
"The width of the doorway is too narrow for the couch."
"He adjusted the width of the table to fit the room."
"The fabric’s width was specified on the label."
"She measured the width of the river before crossing."
Width comes from Old English widu, which meant 'space, breadth' and was related to the Proto-Germanic * widthaz, denoting wide, broad. The word evolved to its modern noun form by Middle English as width or wide + -th suffix indicating a state or condition. It shares roots with related terms in Germanic languages that express breadth or extent. Historically, width distinguished from length and height as a measure of horizontal distance. First known use as a mathematical or spatial descriptor appears in medieval geometry and land measurement texts, where practitioners needed precise language to describe the horizontal span of parcels, openings, and structures. Over centuries, width maintained its primary role in measurement and design while entering everyday vocabulary, remnants of the Germanic base persisting in modern usage. The word’s semantic field broadened beyond physical dimension to metaphorical scope in phrases like ‘width of experience,’ though in most contexts, it remains a literal measurement of horizontal extent. The spelling stable and pronunciation shifted minimally, with modern pron. /wɪdθ/ in American and British English reflecting the consonant cluster and voiced/voiceless interactions characteristic of English syllables. First known written attestations appear in 13th-century glossaries aligning with the rise of standardized English measurements.
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Words that rhyme with "Width"
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Pronounce it as /wɪdθ/. Start with a light /w/ glide, then the short /ɪ/ as in ‘kit,’ and finish with the dental fricative /ð/ plus voiceless /θ/. The stress is on the single syllable, with a crisp final /d/ preceding the /θ/ fricative. Think: “WID-th.” Listen to native pronunciation in a dictionary or pronunciation app to hear the subtle breathy release on /θ/.
Common errors: mistaking the final /θ/ for a simple /s/ or /t/ sound, or turning /wɪ/ into a long ‘we’ vowel. Correct by ensuring a quick, light contact of the tongue tip to the upper teeth for /θ/, and keep the /ɪ/ short and lax. Avoid inserting a vowel between /d/ and /θ; keep them in a tight /dθ/ sequence.”
Across US/UK/AU, the core /wɪdθ/ remains, but accent differences appear in vowel quality and voice onset time. In many US varieties, /ɪ/ is a bit more centralized; UK and Australian speakers may have a slightly crisper /d/ and a more dental, hör fricative /θ/. Australians often reduce vowel length in rapid speech, so /ɪ/ may sound closer to /ə/. The tongue positions remain the same, but the air flow and tempo influence perceived sharpness.
The difficulty lies in the final /θ/ sound, which requires precise dental frication without voicing—many learners substitute /f/ or /t/ or omit the fricative. The /d/ precedes /θ/, so you must keep the stop release clean and not merge /d/ with the fricative. Also, the short, lax /ɪ/ must stay crisp, not drawn out. Practicing with minimal pairs helps you feel the exact tongue placement.
Focus on the transition from /d/ to /θ/. The tip touches the upper teeth for /θ/ right after you release the /d/. This boundary is where many speakers slip into /t/ or /f/. Also, maintain a short, clipped /ɪ/ so the syllable remains one beat—not a diphthong. Visualize a tiny pop of air as you engage the /ð/ vs /θ/ distinction.
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