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

Derived Forms

• ˈsprawler, noun
• ˈsprawly, adjective

Other Words From

• sprawler noun
• sprawling·ly adverb

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

“Urban sprawl creates inefficient cities which unnecessarily destroys millions of acres of land,” he continued.

From Salon

Having lost the backing of the Sierra Club, America’s anti-immigration movement turned more explicitly to climate change — and to one of Zuckerman’s Sierra Club colleagues, Leon Kolankiewicz, an environmental planner versed in sprawl and impact studies and a longtime proponent of the idea that the planet had a limited carrying capacity.

From Salon

Yet as urban and suburban sprawl continues to push communities further into fire-prone landscapes and climate change continues to worsen blazes, scientists and fire experts are fiercely debating what control homeowners really have over whether their home survives — or if it simply comes down to chance.

From Los Angeles Times

On top of being a terrific pre-holiday workout, the Great Walk debunks the ever-persistent beliefs that L.A. is not a walking city and that its physical sprawl impedes the ability to build community.

From Los Angeles Times

This walk doesn’t fall into the category of bucolic country stroll, but it offers an unusual opportunity to get outside in the middle of the urban sprawl.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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