Sprawling: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ณ
sprawling
[ หsprษหlษชล ]
physical space
Sprawling refers to something that spreads out over an extensive area in a careless or irregular manner. It often describes urban development that expands beyond a central point, resulting in a lack of organization and coherence. The term can also apply to plants or vines that grow in a wild or uncontrolled fashion.
Synonyms
dispersed, expansive, spread out, uncontrolled.
Examples of usage
- The sprawling city suburbs extended far beyond the original boundaries.
- He admired the sprawling landscapes shown in the paintings.
- The children enjoyed playing in the sprawling gardens.
- That sprawling vine took over the entire wall of the house.
Translations
Translations of the word "sprawling" in other languages:
๐ต๐น espalhar-se
๐ฎ๐ณ เคซเฅเคฒเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช ausgedehnt
๐ฎ๐ฉ membentang
๐บ๐ฆ ัะพะทะณะพัะฝััะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ rozlegลy
๐ฏ๐ต ๅบใใ (ใฒใใใ)
๐ซ๐ท s'รฉtendre
๐ช๐ธ extensivo
๐น๐ท yayฤฑlmฤฑล
๐ฐ๐ท ํผ์ง๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ู ุชุฏ
๐จ๐ฟ rozlehlรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ rozsiahly
๐จ๐ณ ่ๅปถ็
๐ธ๐ฎ razprostrt
๐ฎ๐ธ breiรฐandi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะบะตาฃะตะนะณะตะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแคแแ แแแแแฃแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ yayฤฑlmฤฑล
๐ฒ๐ฝ extensivo
Etymology
The word 'sprawling' originated from the verb 'sprawl', which dates back to the late 19th century. It is believed to have evolved from the Middle English word 'sprawlen', which meant to stretch out or to spread. The term 'sprawl' itself implies not just physical expansion but can also encompass a sense of disorganization or unnaturalness in the way something grows or develops. Initially, it referred to the way limbs might spread out awkwardly when a person falls or lies down. Over time, the meaning expanded to encompass urban development that grows without much planning, leading to the concept of 'urban sprawl' in the 20th century. This modern interpretation highlights the challenges associated with rapid and uncontrolled growth in cities, affecting infrastructure, transportation, and the environment.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #16,662, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.
- ...
- 16659 annihilated
- 16660 lash
- 16661 vaulted
- 16662 sprawling
- 16663 actionable
- 16664 unaided
- 16665 disseminating
- ...