space
/speɪs/
The word evokes a sense of openness and vacancy. When referring to physical areas, it suggests the absence of clutter or obstacles, contrasting with "room" which often implies a specific capacity or fit. In an astronomical context, it carries a feeling of vastness, silence, and the unknown, moving from a geometric concept of dimensions to a physical location beyond Earth. Psychologically, it describes a need for boundaries or solitude. Requesting "space" is a common modern euphemism for emotional distance or autonomy within a relationship. As an action, it focuses on rhythm and distribution. It is the opposite of clustering; it implies intentionality in creating intervals to avoid overcrowding or overlap.
Uncountable when referring to the vacuum of the universe or general room in a car ('There is no more space'). Countable when referring to specific gaps between objects, like the blank characters between words on a page ('Leave two spaces after the period').
💬Casual Conversation
Any updates on the cloud storage space for Project Nova?
Still looking into the bandwidth, Victoria. It's a tight squeeze.
Meanings
A continuous area that is free of obstructions; a particular place or area.
"There is not enough space in the car for five people."
The boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction, including the region beyond the earth's atmosphere.
"The rocket traveled deep into outer space."
To place or arrange things with a particular amount of distance between them.
"The designer decided to space the chairs two feet apart."
Collocations & Compounds
outer space
the expanse that exists beyond the Earth and its atmosphere
Outer space is vast and largely unexplored.
living space
an area within a house or other building where someone can live
The apartment is small, but it has plenty of living space.
personal space
the area immediately surrounding a person that they feel is their own
He tends to stand too close; I need more personal space.
open space
an area of land that is not built on, especially in a town or city
The city needs more parks and open space.
storage space
an area available for storing things
We need to find more storage space for our winter clothes.
Phrasal Verbs
space out
to become unaware of your surroundings, often because you are tired or bored
I was so tired in the meeting that I started to space out.
space out
to arrange things at regular intervals
Please space out the chairs evenly around the room.
Idioms & Sayings
give someone space
to allow someone privacy or freedom from intrusion
He's going through a tough time, so I'm trying to give him space.
make space
to clear an area so that something or someone can fit or move
Can you make space for me on the sofa?
out of space
having no room left for anything else
My phone is out of space and I can't download any more photos.
in the same space
sharing the same area or environment
It's challenging for different departments to work effectively when they are not in the same space.
a space for
an appropriate place or occasion for something
There is a time and a space for everything.
Etymology
The word "space" comes from the Latin word "spatium," meaning "expanse, room, distance, time." It entered Old French as "espace" and then into Middle English in the 14th century, initially referring to extent or area. Its meaning evolved to include the concept of physical extent in three dimensions, and later, the vast emptiness beyond Earth's atmosphere.