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Definition of manspread

manspread

/ˈmæn.sprɛd/
man · spread
Plural:manspreads
•
Past Simple:manspread
•
Past Participle:manspread
•
Present Participle:manspreading
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manspread Lexical Profile

manspread Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To sit with one's legs wide apart on public transport, thereby taking up more than one seat (especially of a man).

Example

"The transit authority launched a polite campaign asking commuters not to manspread during rush hour."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for manspread

• noun

1

An instance of sitting with one's legs wide apart on public transport, encroaching on adjacent seats (typically of a man).

Example

"His wide manspread on the crowded subway car made it difficult for anyone to sit beside him."

• Nearby Words

mansplain
mansplainer
mansplaining
manspread
manspreader
manspreading
manta

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 2010s as a compound of 'man' and 'spread', popularized through social media campaigns addressing public transit etiquette.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Manspread. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/manspread
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