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: branch, straggle

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

/ sprɔːl /

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

noun

1. the act or an instance of sprawling

2. a sprawling posture or arrangement of items

3. 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

Other Word Forms

• sprawler noun
• sprawlingly adverb
• sprawly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprawl¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprawl¹

Old English spreawlian; related to Old English spryttan to sprout, _spurt , Greek speirein to scatter

Example Sentences

It sprawls 90 miles along the Pacific Coast, encompassing gems such as Baker Beach.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The sprawl of Greater Mexico City occupies most of it.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The adjustment from the minors to the majors was far easier than the change from the tiny mining town of Pittsburg, Kan., to the technicolor sprawl of Southern California.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Indeed, this could be a learning experience for out-of-towners who don’t realize just how broadly Greater Los Angeles sprawls.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Across the floor and walls sprawl grand mosaics and sculptures depicting lions, piles of gold, thunderbolts and ancient Roman gods.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• drape 
• flop 
• loll 
• lounge 
• ramble 
• recline 
• slouch 
• straggle