51Թ

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View synonyms for

sprawl

[sprawl]

verb (used without object)

  1. to be stretched or spread out in an unnatural or ungraceful manner.

    The puppy's legs sprawled in all directions.

  2. to sit or lie in a relaxed position with the limbs spread out carelessly or ungracefully.

    He sprawled across the bed.

  3. to spread out, extend, or be distributed in a straggling or irregular manner, as vines, buildings, handwriting, etc.

    Synonyms: ,
  4. to crawl awkwardly with the aid of all the limbs; scramble.



verb (used with object)

  1. to stretch out (the limbs) as in sprawling.

  2. to spread out or distribute in a straggling manner.

noun

  1. the act or an instance of sprawling; a sprawling posture.

  2. a straggling array of something.

sprawl

/ ɔː /

verb

  1. (intr) to sit or lie in an ungainly manner with one's limbs spread out

  2. to fall down or knock down with the limbs spread out in an ungainly way

  3. to spread out or cause to spread out in a straggling fashion

    his handwriting sprawled all over the paper

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of sprawling

  2. a sprawling posture or arrangement of items

    1. the urban area formed by the expansion of a town or city into surrounding countryside

      the urban sprawl

    2. the process by which this has happened

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • sprawler noun
  • sprawlingly adverb
  • ˈɱ noun
  • ˈɱ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of sprawl1

before 1000; Middle English spraulen to move awkwardly, Old English spreawlian; cognate with Frisian (N dial.) spraweli
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of sprawl1

Old English spreawlian; related to Old English spryttan to sprout, spurt , Greek speirein to scatter
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The usually bustling and vibrant Fashion District sprawls across more than 100 blocks in the downtown L.A. area, with more than 4,000 independently owned and operated retail and wholesale businesses.

From

Liman further criticized the sprawl of the plaintiffs’ filings — including a 224-page complaint and a 168-page “timeline” exhibit — calling the latter improper and legally meaningless.

From

If finding a soulmate in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles is a long and arduous journey, one studded with minefields erupting in confusion, anxiety and repeated dismay, then let the body lead the way.

From

We sat down to talk in a room with one of Europe's most serene views: the tranquillity of Lake Geneva and the magnificent sprawl of the Mont-Blanc massif.

From

An Altadena ego death, where the community fades into suburban sprawl obscurity.

From

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