spread out

To put things farther apart so they cover a larger area.

• Spread out the cards on the table.
• He spread his tools out across the floor.
• Can you spread these papers out so we can see them?

How to use it: spread something out on something (She spread the photos out on the floor.)

Similar words: lay out, distribute, separate

Opposites: gather, pile up

Common phrases: spread out something, spread something out

To move away from each other and cover more space.

• The players spread out across the field.
• We spread out to look for the missing dog.
• Please spread out so everyone has enough room.

How to use it: spread out across/over something (The children spread out across the field.)

Similar words: scatter, disperse, separate

Opposites: gather, converge

Common phrases: spread out across something, spread out to search

With large gaps between people or things, or between events.

• The houses are quite spread out.
• Our appointments are spread out over several weeks.
• Are the seats too spread out for everyone to hear?

How to use it: be spread out across/over something (The houses are spread out across the valley.)

Similar words: scattered, widely spaced

Opposites: clustered, close

Common phrases: spread out houses, spread out over time

Covering a large area or continuing across a long period of time.

• The town is spread out along the coast.
• The festival is spread out over a whole month.
• Their farms are spread out across a large region.

How to use it: be spread out over something (The costs are spread out over ten years.)

Similar words: extensive, far-reaching

Opposites: compact

Common phrases: spread out over something, spread out across something