How do you use "space"?

Often used with the preposition 'out'. Almost always used as the phrasal verb 'space out'.

space — meaning, definition & examples

Q: What does "space" mean?

1. (outer space) the huge area outside the Earth's atmosphere where the stars and planets are. 2. (empty area) an empty area that is available to be used. 3. (a gap) a small empty area between two things or two people. 4. (personal freedom) the freedom to be alone or to think without other people bothering you. 5. (period of time) a certain amount of time. 6. (to place with gaps) to put things at regular distances from each other. 7. (to lose focus) to stop paying attention because you are thinking about something else.

Q: Is it correct to say "There is not many space in the car."?

No — say "There is not much space in the car.". When 'space' means 'room' or 'area', it is usually uncountable and takes 'much' instead of 'many'.

Word

01outer space

A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun Science

n. the huge area outside the Earth's atmosphere where the stars and planets are.

n. the near-vacuum physical universe beyond the Earth's atmosphere.

“The astronauts spent six months living on a station in space.”

“Advancements in propulsion technology have renewed international interest in deep space exploration and the potential for lunar colonies.”

Synonyms

universe cosmos void

Antonyms

Earth

02empty area

A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun

n. an empty area that is available to be used.

n. a continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied.

“We need to move the sofa to make more space for the Christmas tree.”

“The architect designed the atrium to maximise natural light and create a sense of open space within the urban office complex.”

Pitfall

There is not many space in the car.

There is not much space in the car.

When 'space' means 'room' or 'area', it is usually uncountable and takes 'much' instead of 'many'.

Synonyms

room expanse area

Antonyms

fullness

03a gap

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a small empty area between two things or two people.

n. a specific blank area or gap between two objects, points, or characters in text.

“Make sure you leave a space between each word when you write.”

“The parking attendant gestured toward a narrow space between two delivery vans, challenging the driver's precision.”

Synonyms

gap interval opening

04personal freedom

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Informal

n. the freedom to be alone or to think without other people bothering you.

n. the opportunity or freedom to exist, think, and act as one wishes without interference.

“I love my family, but sometimes I just need some space to myself.”

“After the intense collaboration of the project, she requested a week of remote work to give herself the mental space to recover.”

Synonyms

privacy freedomelbow room

Antonyms

intrusion

05period of time

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal

n. a certain amount of time.

n. a duration or interval of time.

“Three goals were scored in the space of just five minutes.”

“The company underwent a complete structural transformation in the space of a single fiscal year.”

Synonyms

period interval duration

06to place with gaps

B1 · Intermediate

v. to put things at regular distances from each other.

v. to position objects or intervals at specific distances from one another.

“You should space the plants about thirty centimetres apart.”

“The instructor asked the students to space themselves out across the hall to ensure everyone had room to move freely.”

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'out'.

Synonyms

arrange separate interval

Antonyms

crowd cluster

07to lose focus

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to stop paying attention because you are thinking about something else.

v. to become inattentive or distracted from one's immediate surroundings.

“I'm sorry, I spaced out for a second—what did you say?”

“He tended to space out during long afternoon lectures, his mind wandering to his weekend plans instead of the complex equations on the board.”

Usage

Almost always used as the phrasal verb 'space out'.

Synonyms

daydreamzone out

Antonyms

focus

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “space” in context.

01. space with over subscribers 02. space of time 03. space station 04. space company 05. space economy 06. space agency 07. space exploration 08. space of minutes

From Middle English space, from Anglo-Norman space, variant of espace, espas, et al.; and spaze, variant of espace, from Latin spatium, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peh₂- (“to stretch, to pull”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

NOUN

space(A1)