spread-out

Thân thiện

The peacock displays its spread-out tail feathers.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Extending over a wide area; not concentrated in one place: Describes something that is distributed or scattered across a large space. 2. Arranged with parts or members separated by intervals; not close together: Describes objects or people positioned at distances from each other. 3. (Especially spread in a fan shape): Describes something, like cards or a tail, that is opened out into a broad, flat arrangement.

Usage and Examples

• Describing physical arrangement:
  • The spread-out suburbs covered many square miles.
  • Please keep the documents spread-out on the table so we can see them all.
• Describing a dispersed group:
  • The search party moved in a spread-out formation to cover more ground.
  • The crowd was too spread-out for the speaker to address effectively.
• Describing a fanned shape:
  • She held the spread-out cards in her hand.
  • The bird displayed its magnificent, spread-out tail feathers.

Advanced Usage

• "to be spread out": This is a common adjectival phrase derived from the phrasal verb 'to spread out'. It describes the state of being extended over an area.
  • The city is very spread out, making public transportation less efficient.
• Used to contrast with "compact" or "concentrated".
  • We prefer a spread-out campus with lots of green space, not one with tall, dense buildings.

Variants and Related Words

• Spread (verb): To extend over a larger area.
• Outspread (adjective): Extended or stretched out. (Similar in meaning, but less common).
• Dispersed (adjective): Distributed or scattered over a wide area. (A close synonym).
• Scattered (adjective): Thrown or distributed loosely in various directions.

Synonyms

• Extended
• Disbursed
• Diffused
• Fanned out
• Unfurled (especially for something like a flag or sail)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Spread out (phrasal verb): To move apart from each other to cover a wider area, or to open and extend something.
  • The soldiers were ordered to spread out.
  • He spread out the map on the floor.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary sense is spatial distribution. It does not typically refer to the dissemination of information or disease (which is covered by the verb 'spread').
• As an adjective, it is often hyphenated ("spread-out") when used before a noun (e.g., ) and may be written as two words after a verb (e.g., ).

Học thuật

Adjective

1. especially spread in a fan shape
   • the peacock's fanned tail
   • the spread-out cards

Từ đồng nghĩa

• fanned
• spread-out