What's a word for "widespread," but not so wide?

I want to say that something is trying to attain widespread use.

However, when I say widespread use, I really want to say that it is trying to be used by a few people (not necessarily that widespread).

Is there a word, or an expression for this?

Solution 1:

Maybe you could use “gaining traction” (which implies that it is getting more and more users, though maybe not widespread yet), or common, broadly used, or well adopted.

^{9 votes for this short answer, I feel you deserve more! So here’s some addition information:}

In “gaining traction”, the word traction is used figuratively, as “motive power provided for the action of drawing a thing over a surface”. In this use, it is thus synonymous with momentum.

Solution 2:

Possibilities:

• trying to attain extended popularity
• trying to augment its user base
• trying to attain increased popularity
• trying to become a staple amongst the community
• trying to become a household name

Solution 3:

You could also say that the thing in question is "catching on", which is to say, it's in the early stages of (presumably) a lasting surge in usage.

Solution 4:

Maybe Gain widespread use within a group / community?

For example "My website has widespread use within the UK Airsoft Community" Whist the UK Airsoft community is only a fraction of a percent of the entire population and almost everyone you ask will never have heard of the site, it is still in widespread use within the specified group.

I think this really depends on what is being used and who is using it.

Solution 5:

If the few people are passionate or enthusiastic, perhaps: "has reached cult status" or "has a cult following"