Word
expanse
Phoneticsex·panse, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪkˈspæns/
UK/ɛkspˈæns/
Countable noun Literary
Definition
n. a wide, open area of land, water, or sky. It describes a space that feels very large and goes on for a long distance.
n. a wide, continuous area or stretch of something, typically land or sea. Often used to emphasize the vastness or uninterrupted nature of a physical space.
Examples
“The blue expanse of the ocean stretched out before us.”
“From the top of the hill, we could see the vast expanse of the valley below us.”
“The hikers were struck by the silent expanse of the desert, where the horizon seemed to recede further with every step they took toward the distant mountains.”
Examples
simple
“The blue expanse of the ocean stretched out before us.”
contextual
“From the top of the hill, we could see the vast expanse of the valley below us.”
complex
“The hikers were struck by the silent expanse of the desert, where the horizon seemed to recede further with every step they took toward the distant mountains.”
Usage
Often paired with the preposition 'of' to describe the material or element filling the space.
Real-World Examples
“Once we compared habitats separately, it was clear the effect belongs to the tundra alone."
Across the vast expanse of the Arctic tundra, conditions can vary greatly from one year to the next.” “For the study, the researchers looked at the vast expanse of volcanic rock that erupted from the Lauca Caldera in northern Chile 21.9 million years ago.” Etymology
From Latin expansum, from expandō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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