space
space — verb
1. to position objects, individuals, text, or activities with set amounts of room o
to position objects, individuals, text, or activities with set amounts of room or time separating them — for instance, putting chairs at equal intervals in a hall or scheduling payments over several months.
Minh spaced the chairs two metres apart for the outdoor concert.
space + object + distance [+ apart]
Samir spaces the fitness classes at the community centre one hour apart.
Christopher spaced out his student loan payments over eighteen months.
space out + object + over + time period
Each seedling in the garden was spaced thirty centimetres from the next one.
passive: was spaced + distance + from
Before printing the report, space the paragraphs evenly so each section is easy to read.
- space evenly
- space equally
- space widely
- space closely
- space apart
- space out
- space at intervals
- space over time
- distribute
more general — does not specifically imply even gaps between items
- spread out
less precise — suggests wider coverage rather than measured intervals
- arrange
broader — can mean any kind of organisation, not just spacing
- position
focuses on where each item goes, not the gap between them
Grammar Patterns
space + object + distance/time phrase
space out + object + over/for + time
Usage Note
This verb nearly always needs a distance or time phrase to sound natural — space the seedlings (alone) feels incomplete, while space the seedlings 30 cm apart is complete.
Common Mistakes
space — noun
1. an empty spot or section that is free for someone to use, put things in, or do s
an empty spot or section that is free for someone to use, put things in, or do something in
We need to clear a space on the kitchen counter for the new microwave.
collocation: clear a space for [something]
Sora found a parking space right outside the supermarket entrance.
countable: a parking space
There is enough space in Lin's living room for a small wooden dining table.
pattern: space + for + noun
Amani organised the cupboard space so the pots and pans fit on the lower shelf.
Isabela saved space on her laptop by deleting old photos and videos.
collocation: save space
- parking space
- storage space
- floor space
- shelf space
- clear a space
- make space for
- take up space
- save space
Grammar Patterns
space + for + noun
space + to-infinitive
Usage Note
Countable when referring to a specific empty area (a parking space, a storage space); uncountable when referring to the general concept of available room (lack of space, floor space).
Common Mistakes
2. an empty part of a page or a line where nothing is written or printed, used espe
an empty part of a page or a line where nothing is written or printed, used especially to separate letters, words, or sections of text
Diego left a space at the bottom of the page for the teacher's comments.
leave a space (manual gap)
In a formal letter, you should leave a space between each paragraph.
The student pressed the space bar to add a gap after each word.
space bar (keyboard key)
Lan typed a single space between the first name and the family name.
Fill in your answer in the blank space at the bottom of the form.
- leave a space
- blank space
- white space
- space bar
- a space between
- gap
more general; can refer to any break or opening
- blank
often used for empty fields on a form ('fill in the blank')
- whitespace
more technical, used in design and computing
Grammar Patterns
leave a space
a space between
Usage Note
Common in typing and printing contexts. 'Space bar' is the long key at the bottom of a keyboard. In modern digital writing, 'whitespace' is sometimes used for the same idea, especially in design and programming.
Common Mistakes
3. the area without limits that contains the whole universe, continuing in every di
the area without limits that contains the whole universe, continuing in every direction, in which all objects and events exist
The first rocket to reach space marked a historic moment for all of humanity.
uncountable: in space (not 'the space')
Rohan learned that space can bend near a massive object, such as the Sun.
The telescope sends back images of galaxies that are billions of light-years away in space.
collocation: light-years away in space
Dr. Ayesha explained that space is still expanding, carrying galaxies farther apart.
Omar read a book explaining how space and time behave differently near a black hole.
- in space
- outer space
- the edge of space
- travel through space
- explore space
- the universe
includes everything in space, including matter and energy
- the cosmos
more formal or poetic, often implies an orderly system
Usage Note
Uncountable and never takes the definite article when referring to the universe: 'in space', not 'in the space'. 'The space' is used only when modified (e.g., 'the space between galaxies').
Common Mistakes
4. the open gap between a player and an opposing player during a game, which a skil
the open gap between a player and an opposing player during a game, which a skilled player can use to receive a pass, take a shot, or make a play
The midfielder found space between the defenders and passed the ball forward quickly.
collocation: find space between [players]
Coach Adisa told the forwards to spread out across the field and create more space.
collocation: create space
Without enough space from the defenders, the striker could not turn and shoot at goal.
Brazil used the full width of the pitch to open up space for their forwards.
Élise watched the defender closely and moved sideways to create space for a cross.
- create space
- find space
- make space
- open up space
- close down space
- space between defenders
- room
informal alternative used in sports commentary
- open ground
more specific to field sports like rugby or football
Usage Note
Uncountable in this sense. Typically used with verbs like 'create', 'find', 'make', 'open up', or 'close down' space. Common in football, rugby, basketball, and other field sports.
Common Mistakes
5. a section of ground in a city or town where nothing has been built, often left e
a section of ground in a city or town where nothing has been built, often left empty for future use
Rachid turned the vacant space by the railway tracks into a community garden.
collocation: vacant space (vacant city land)
Developers bought the space between the two office buildings to construct a new hotel.
countable: the space between [buildings]
Children played football in the open space behind the old school every evening.
collocation: open space (unbuilt land in a town)
The city turned an unused space downtown into a park with benches and shade trees.
collocation: unused space turned into [something]
Felix checked the city map for open spaces where his company could build apartments.
collocation: open space (vacant land)
- open space
- empty space
- vacant space
- waste ground
- unused space
- develop a space
- lot
American English, specifically a piece of land in a town
- plot
neutral, often used in real estate contexts
- waste ground
British English, implies neglected or unused land
Usage Note
Often modified by adjectives like 'open', 'empty', 'vacant', 'unused', or 'waste' (waste ground). 'Space' in this sense is countable when referring to a specific plot ('a space between the buildings'), but uncountable when referring to the general concept of vacant land ('plenty of open space').
6. an area on a playing field where no opposing player is positioned, allowing a te
an area on a playing field where no opposing player is positioned, allowing a team member to run into it with the ball or receive a pass
The winger ran into space on the left and received a pass from the goalkeeper.
collocation: run into space
When a basketball player sees space near the basket, they should drive toward it quickly.
Quinn and his teammates kept moving across the pitch to create pockets of space.
collocation: create space / pockets of space
A skilled defender closes down space instead of chasing the ball all over the field.
collocation: close down space
Ari dashed into the space left by defenders and called for the ball.
- run into space
- sprint into space
- pockets of space
- close down space
- see space
- move into space
- open ground
British English, especially in rugby and football
- open field
more literal, used in American football
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 4 (IN SPORT). Sense 4 refers to the distance or gap between players; this sense refers to an actual physical area on the field with no opponents in it. You 'run into space' (sense 6) but 'create space between yourself and a defender' (sense 4).
Common Mistakes
7. a brief period during which something happens or is completed, typically used to
a brief period during which something happens or is completed, typically used to emphasise how short that period is
The new bridge was built in the space of just six months.
pattern: in the space of + time period
Within the space of a week, Sivan had read three entire novels by the author.
Three car accidents happened on the same road in the space of two hours.
In the short space before the meeting, Erik reviewed his notes and made coffee.
collocation: in the short space of time
The restaurant served over fifty customers in the space of a single lunch hour.
- in the space of
- within the space of
- in a short space of time
Grammar Patterns
in the space of + time period
within the space of + time period
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'in/within the space of [time period]' or 'in a short space of time'. Emphasises that the time was surprisingly short given what was accomplished.
Common Mistakes
8. a specific length of time during which something happens or changes, often used
a specific length of time during which something happens or changes, often used to emphasise how quickly or completely it occurs
Rania finished the entire novel in the space of a single weekend.
in the space of + time period (duration)
In the space of two years, their small stall became a busy shop.
Three different delivery trucks arrived at the door within the space of one morning.
In the space of a few weeks, bare soil became rows of green sprouts.
Within the space of one phone call, Lukas found them a new apartment.
within the space of + time (formal variant)
- in the space of
- within the space of
- the space of a few days/weeks/years
Grammar Patterns
in/within the space of + time
Usage Note
This sense almost always appears in the fixed pattern 'in/within the space of [duration]' and is not used alone as a stand-alone countable noun (e.g. ❌ 'I need a space to finish this'). Distinguish from sense 7, which refers to a very short unspecified time ('a short space of time').
Common Mistakes
9. the area far above the Earth where the sun, moon, stars, and other planets are v
the area far above the Earth where the sun, moon, stars, and other planets are visible in the night sky, and where rockets and satellites travel
Élise looked at the night sky and wondered what life in space would be like.
in space (no article)
The telescope showed images of stars and planets far out in space.
Dr. Ramón's team is building a rocket to carry people deeper into space.
travel into space
A small piece of space rock hit the station's window, but no one was hurt.
Dewi watched a show about a team of scientists working together on a space station.
- in space
- into space
- outer space
- deep space
- space station
- space travel
- space rock
- outer space
the full term, often interchangeable but slightly more formal
- the cosmos
more formal or poetic, refers to the universe as an ordered system
- the universe
broader — includes everything that exists, not just the void beyond Earth
Grammar Patterns
in space
into space
outer space
Usage Note
When referring to outer space generally, no article is used ('in space', 'into space'). The phrase 'outer space' is also common and stresses the region far from Earth. 'The space' would refer to a specific empty area, not the cosmos.
Common Mistakes
10. the chance to be alone or to make your own decisions without other people interf
the chance to be alone or to make your own decisions without other people interfering or putting pressure on you
Tunde told his roommate that he needed some space to focus on his studies.
need some space (emotional/personal)
After arguing all morning, both sisters decided to give each other some space.
Min enjoys living alone because she needs plenty of space to think and create.
The manager gave the team space to try new ideas without constant supervision.
give someone space to do something
Shanti said she needed space to make her own decisions about the future.
- need space
- give space
- some space
- personal space
- space to think
- pressure
the feeling of being pushed or watched by others
- interference
being stopped or disrupted by other people's involvement
Grammar Patterns
need/give/have some space
Usage Note
Often used in personal relationships and workplace settings. 'Space' in this sense is uncountable — you need 'some space', not 'a space'. The phrase 'give someone space' means letting them act freely without control or interference.
To be in a particular emotional or mental state.
After the promotion, Min felt she was in a good place.
Brian has been in a dark place since his dog died.
To look straight ahead without focusing on anything, often while thinking.
During the meeting, Sara stared into space, lost in thought.
Diego gazed into space, ignoring the noisy classroom.
a waste of space
idiomA person who is completely useless or worthless.
The new intern is a waste of space; he does nothing all day.
Maya called her ex-boyfriend a waste of space after he forgot her birthday.
watch this space
idiomUsed to tell someone to wait for more news or updates about something.
We have a big announcement coming soon, so watch this space.
The company is launching a new product next month; watch this space for details.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Room emphasises that a space is available or free for use — 'Is there room for one more chair?' — and is always uncountable. Area is broader and neutral, simply naming a bounded surface or zone without implying emptiness ('a picnic area', 'a residential area'). Gap refers to an opening or break in something continuous, like a gap between teeth or a gap in traffic. Spot is a small, specific point or place ('a good spot for a picnic'), and is countable. Capacity describes how much a container or space can hold ('the hall has a capacity of 200 people'), not the space itself. Use room when checking availability, area for general location, gap for an opening in a solid or continuous thing, spot for a precise small location, and capacity when measuring how much can fit.
Etymology
Space entered English from Old French 'espace', ultimately from Latin 'spatium' meaning 'room, area, distance, expanse'. Originally referred to physical extent or period of time; the astronomical sense ('the void beyond Earth') developed in the 17th century with the rise of modern astronomy.