sprawl

¹sprawl

verb \ˈsprȯl\

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>

Examples of SPRAWL

1. The kids sprawled on the floor to watch TV.
2. She tripped and went sprawling into the table.
3. The city sprawls along the coastline.
4. The bushes were sprawling along the road.

Origin of SPRAWL

Middle English, from Old English sprēawlian

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with SPRAWL

all, awl, ball, bawl, brawl, call, caul, crawl, doll, drawl, fall, gall, hall, haul, kraal, mall, maul, moll, pall, pawl, Saul, scall, scrawl, shawl, small, spall, squall, stall, tall, thrall, trawl, wall, yawl

²sprawl

noun

Definition of SPRAWL

1

: the act, posture, or condition of sprawling

2

: an irregularly spread or scattered group or mass

3

: urban sprawl

First Known Use of SPRAWL

1598