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

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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

They sprawled around the rim of the backyard swimming pool and across the adjacent lawn, their animal-print blankets and beach towels crowded with paper scraps and glue sticks.

From Los Angeles Times

The American president didn't detail his thoughts about the massive celebration sprawled across Tiananmen Square, except that it was "very, very impressive".

From BBC

Related Words

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