spread out meaning and definition

SPREAD OUT verb

Definition of spread out (verb)

1. move outward
   • "The soldiers fanned out"
   • synonyms: diffuse, fan out, spread
2. set out or stretch in a line, succession, or series
   • "the houses were strung out in a long row"
   • synonyms: string out
3. strew or distribute over an area
   • "He spread fertilizer over the lawn"; "scatter cards across the table"
   • synonyms: scatter, spread
4. extend in one or more directions
   • "The dough expands"
   • synonyms: expand
   • antonym: contract
5. turn outward
   • "These birds can splay out their toes"; "ballet dancers can rotate their legs out by 90 degrees"
   • synonyms: rotate, splay, turn out
6. move away from each other
   • "The crowds dispersed"; "The children scattered in all directions when the teacher approached";
   • synonyms: disperse, dissipate, scatter
7. spread out or open from a closed or folded state
   • "open the map"; "spread your arms"
   • synonyms: open, spread, unfold
   • antonym: fold