sprawl

Intransitive VerbTransitive VerbNoun

Meanings

Intransitive Verb

[~][~ out]

To sit, lie, or fall with one's limbs spread out in an ungainly or relaxed way.

"He sprawled out on the sofa after a long day at work."

Transitive Verb

[~ something]

To spread something out over a wide area in an irregular or unplanned way.

"The city sprawls across the valley floor for miles."

Noun

The disorganized and unplanned expansion of an urban area into the surrounding countryside.

"The government is implementing new zoning laws to curb urban sprawl."

Noun

A posture or position in which a person's limbs are spread out awkwardly.

"She landed in a clumsy sprawl on the kitchen floor."

Last Updated: June 12, 2026•Report an Error