First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1sprawl
verb \ˈsprȯl\
: to lie or sit with your arms and legs spread wide apart
: to spread or develop in an uneven or uncontrolled way
Full Definition of SPRAWL
intransitive verb
1
a archaic : to lie thrashing or tossing about b : to creep or clamber awkwardly
2
: to lie or sit with arms and legs spread out
3
: to spread or develop irregularly or without restraint <bushes sprawling along the road> <sprawling suburbs> <a sprawling narrative>
transitive verb
: to cause to spread out carelessly or awkwardly <sprawled out her books on the table>
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Origin of SPRAWL
Middle English, from Old English sprēawlian
2sprawl
noun
: a group of things (such as buildings) that cover an area in an uneven and ugly way
Full Definition of SPRAWL
1
: the act, posture, or condition of sprawling
2
: an irregularly spread or scattered group or mass
3
See sprawl defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPRAWL
1598
SPRAWL Defined for Kids
1sprawl
verb \ˈsprȯl\
sprawledsprawl·ing
Definition of SPRAWL for Kids
1
: to lie or sit with arms and legs spread out
2
: to spread out unevenly <The city of Madison sprawls between two lakes … — Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons>
2sprawl
noun
Definition of SPRAWL for Kids
: the act or posture of spreading out
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