Sprawling definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary Jan 20, 2023 · sprawling in British English (ˈsprɔːlɪŋ ) adjective 1. sitting or lying in an ungainly manner with one's limbs spread out 2. spreading out in a straggling fashion a sprawling and semi-abandoned chateau The sprawling city contained some 4m people. He keeps forgetting the words and the song is a sprawling mess. Collins English Dictionary.