Words / B2

ik-SPANS/ɪkˈspæns/

An expanse is a wide, open area of land, sea, or sky: an expanse of; a vast expanse. Stretch and sweep are close twins; area is everyday and numbered. Map the expanse on the OS extract, then the grid square. Mix-up: expanse vs expense; expanse vs expand (the verb); do not write expanse for a small courtyard or for a cost.

Meaning

A wide, open area of land, sea, or sky (an expanse of).

Examples

• “Map the expanse on the OS extract, then the grid square, the geography paper said.”
• “An expanse of mudflats featured in the estuary case, which is still a named habitat — quote km² if given.”

Good to know

an expanse of water / sky / grassland; a vast expanse. Close: stretch / sweep. Trap: expense / expand / a yard. Geography and literature. Wide open area — map it or quote km².

Near in meaning

stretch, sweep, spread

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