Pronunciation: [wˈɪdθ] (IPA) 
The word "width" is spelled with the letter combination "th" in the middle, which may be confusing for non-native English speakers. The correct IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /wɪdθ/. The "th" sound is represented by the IPA symbol θ, which is produced by placing the tip of the tongue behind the top front teeth and blowing air. The word "width" refers to the measurement of the distance from one side of something to the other.
Width is a fundamental concept in geometry and measurement that refers to the measure or extent of something from side to side, typically perpendicular to its length or height. It is often used to describe the horizontal distance between two points or the measure of a two-dimensional object or surface at its widest part.
In a more general sense, width can be understood as the distance across an object, such as a line, shape, or physical entity, when looking at it from a specific perspective. For instance, in the context of a rectangular object, width is commonly used to denote the measure of the shorter side or the side that runs parallel to the horizontal axis.
Width is an attribute that is vital in various fields and domains, including architecture, design, fashion, engineering, and mathematics. In these disciplines, accurate measurements of width are crucial for creating and analyzing objects, structures, or systems, and can influence factors such as stability, function, aesthetics, and practicality.
The concept of width can also be applied metaphorically to describe the breadth or range of something, such as knowledge, skills, or experiences. It represents the extent or scope of a particular subject or domain, reflecting the diversity or variety encompassed within it. In this sense, width is used to highlight the broad and comprehensive nature of a particular area of study or expertise.
• Breadth; extent from side to side.
• See wide.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "width" originates from the Middle English word "wideth" or "widde", which evolved from the Old English word "wiđu", meaning a state of being wide. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "wīdithō", which shares the same meaning. Ultimately, the root can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European base word "weid", meaning to see, know, or experience.
