sprawl
gb/spɹˈɔl/ us/spɹˈɔl/
B2
English
elterül, szanaszét hever, terjeszkedik, terül el, terjeszkedés, szétterülés
VERB
B2
1
elterül
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] sprawls (out) (on/over/across [something])
After dinner, he sprawled on the couch and turned on the TV.
Vacsora után elterült a kanapén, és bekapcsolta a tévét.
The dog sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, blocking the way.
A kutya elterült a lépcső alján, elállva az utat.
She sprawled across the bed with a book and a cup of tea.
Learner examples
I sprawled on the sofa after work.
Munka után elterültem a kanapén.
The cat sprawled on the warm floor.
A macska elterült a meleg padlón.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it for any kind of lying down; it usually suggests taking up space, being very relaxed, or looking awkward.
Meaning
lie or sit with limbs spread
Collocations
sprawl on the sofa
|sprawl on the bed
|sprawl across the couch
|sprawl out on the floor
|sprawl in a chair
|sprawl in the grass
|sprawl at someone’s feet
|sprawl comfortably
|sprawl lazily
|sprawl awkwardly
Synonyms
lounge (suggests relaxed comfort rather than awkwardness or taking up space)
|
stretch out (neutral and physical; less messy/awkward than sprawl)
|
flop (more sudden and informal)
Antonyms
sit up (upright posture rather than spread out)
|
stand (not lying or sitting)
Themes
daily_life
|body_language
Definition
to lie or sit with your body stretched out
To sit or lie with your arms and legs stretched out in a relaxed or awkward way, taking up a lot of space.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
[things] sprawl (across/over) [surface/place]
Dirty laundry sprawled across the bedroom floor.
A szennyes szanaszét hevert a hálószoba padlóján.
Maps and notebooks sprawled over the kitchen table.
Térképek és füzetek hevertek szanaszét a konyhaasztalon.
His handwriting sprawled across the page as he tried to write faster.
Learner examples
Books sprawled across my desk.
Könyvek hevertek szanaszét az asztalomon.
Toys sprawled all over the rug.
Játékok hevertek szanaszét a szőnyegen.
Meaning
spread out messily over an area
Collocations
sprawl across the table
|sprawl all over the floor
|sprawl across the page
|sprawl over the countertop
|papers sprawl
|cables sprawl
|toys sprawl
|clothes sprawl
|a signature sprawls
|writing sprawls
Synonyms
spread (more neutral; does not strongly imply untidiness)
|
scatter (suggests separation into many pieces rather than continuous spread)
|
spill (often accidental, especially liquids or many small items)
Antonyms
gather (bring together instead of spreading out)
|
pile up (form a heap rather than spread out)
|
tidy up (make neat and organized)
Themes
daily_life
|describing_things
Definition
to cover a place in an untidy way
To spread over a surface or area in an untidy, irregular way.
VERB
C1
3
terjeszkedik
B2
terül el
B2
Usage pattern:
[city/town/suburb] sprawls (out) (into/over/across [area])
The city sprawls for miles along the highway.
A város kilométereken át terül el az autópálya mentén.
New housing has sprawled into what used to be farmland.
Az új lakóövezetek ráterjeszkedtek az egykori termőföldekre.
Over the last decade, the town has sprawled outward in every direction.
Learner examples
The suburbs are sprawling into the countryside.
A külvárosok egyre beljebb terjeszkednek a vidék felé.
The city sprawls along the river.
A város a folyó mentén terül el.
Meaning
expand outward over a large area
Collocations
the city sprawls
|suburbs sprawl
|development sprawls
|sprawl into the countryside
|sprawl along the coast
|sprawl outward
|sprawl rapidly
|sprawl unchecked
|sprawl for miles
|sprawl beyond the river
Synonyms
expand (neutral growth; less emphasis on low-density spread)
|
spread (general outward movement; less specific to cities)
|
extend (focuses on reaching farther rather than filling space)
Antonyms
contract (become smaller instead of spreading out)
|
shrink (decrease in size or area)
|
densify (grow by becoming more compact rather than spreading)
Themes
cities
|environment
|geography
Definition
(of a city) to grow and cover more land
To spread outward and cover a larger area, especially in an irregular, low-density way.
NOUN
C1
4
terjeszkedés
B2
szétterülés
B2
Usage pattern:
a sprawl of [buildings/houses/roads/etc.]
From the hilltop, you could see the sprawl of houses stretching to the horizon.
A dombtetőről látni lehetett a házak horizontig nyúló, összevissza elterülő tömegét.
They want to limit the sprawl of new development near the wetlands.
Korlátozni akarják az új beépítések terjeszkedését a vizes élőhelyek közelében.
The historic center is surrounded by a sprawl of strip malls and parking lots.
Learner examples
We could see the city’s sprawl from the plane.
A repülőről láttuk a város szétterülését.
The sprawl of buildings kept growing.
Az épületek szétterülő tömege egyre csak nőtt.
Meaning
a large untidy spread or expanse
Collocations
a sprawl of suburbs
|a sprawl of houses
|a sprawl of buildings
|a sprawl of development
|the sprawl of the city
|endless sprawl
|concrete sprawl
|suburban sprawl
|commercial sprawl
|a low-rise sprawl
Synonyms
expanse (large area, but not necessarily irregular or unattractive)
|
spread (general extent; less judgmental than sprawl)
|
mess (strongly untidy; may not imply a large area)
Antonyms
compactness (tight, efficient use of space)
|
density (many things close together rather than spread out)
Themes
cities
|describing_things
Definition
a big area that spreads out messily
A large area or mass that spreads out in an irregular, often unattractive way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sprawl
IPA
GB/spɹˈɔl/
US/spɹˈɔl/
Syllables & stress
sprawl (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sprawl)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sprawl
- Plural: sprawls
Verb
- Base: sprawl
- 3rd Person Singular: sprawls
- Present Participle: sprawling
- Past: sprawled
Expressions
sprawl out
1/spɹˈɔl ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
lie down fully stretched
to lie down stretched out
Examples
- We sprawled out on the living-room floor to watch the movie.
- He sprawled out across two seats on the train.
- After the hike, she sprawled out on the grass in the shade.
Learner examples
- I sprawled out on the couch.
- The kids sprawled out on the carpet.
urban sprawl
1/ˈɚbən spɹˈɔl/
fixed phrase
low-density spread of cities
when a city spreads into the countryside
Examples
- The report links urban sprawl to increased traffic and air pollution.
- Local officials are debating how to control urban sprawl.
- Urban sprawl has replaced much of the region’s farmland with housing estates.
Learner examples
- Urban sprawl makes many people drive more.
- They want to stop urban sprawl.