Space (noun) — an empty or available area; the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere; a gap or interval between objects or events. Space (verb) — to arrange things with deliberate gaps between them.
What Does Space Mean?
Space entered English in the 14th century from Old French espace and Latin spatium, meaning "room, distance, or stretch of time". The same Latin root gives us spatial (relating to space and dimension) and spacious (having a lot of room). The astronomical sense — the region beyond Earth's atmosphere — became established in English during the late 19th century and was cemented in popular culture by the space age of the 1950s and 1960s.
In everyday English, space is used across a wide range of contexts. It can describe physical room ("Is there space in the cupboard?"), a specific slot or position ("a parking space"), the cosmos ("astronauts exploring space"), a blank area in writing or design ("white space"), or even a psychological need ("I need some space to think"). As a verb, it typically appears with the particle out: "Space the meetings out across the week."
Understanding the countable and uncountable distinction is essential. When space means general room or the universe, it is uncountable and takes no article or some: "There isn't much space." When it refers to a specific, identifiable gap or slot, it is countable: "a parking space", "three spaces on the form".
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| Leave a space between each paragraph to improve the layout of your writing. | A2 — basic noun: a gap in text |
| Our new flat is small, but there is enough space for a desk and a bookshelf. | B1 — uncountable noun: available room |
| Scientists have been studying the effects of travelling through outer space on the human body. | B1 — noun: the universe beyond Earth |
| She asked her colleagues to space the chairs out evenly so that everyone could move around freely. | B2 — verb + particle: to arrange with gaps |
| The architect argued that generous public spaces foster a sense of community and civic identity. | C1 — countable plural: defined areas with social function |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| outer space | The satellite was launched into outer space last night. |
| personal space | Please respect my personal space on the train. |
| open space | The children need open space to run and play. |
| parking space | We finally found a parking space near the theatre. |
| living space | Good storage helps you maximise your living space. |
| office space | The company is renting office space in the city centre. |
| storage space | The loft provides useful extra storage space. |
| breathing space | The long weekend gave him some breathing space to recover. |
| blank space | Fill in your name in the blank space at the top of the form. |
| confined space | Workers must take safety precautions when entering a confined space. |
Usage Notes
Key Usage Points
Countable vs uncountable: Use space (uncountable) for general room or the universe: "There is no space on the shelf." Use a space / spaces (countable) for a specific slot or gap: "Sign your name in the space provided."
Space out (phrasal verb): As a verb, space is most natural with the particle out: "Space the appointments out over the day." Without out, it sounds formal or technical: "Space the lines at 1.5 cm intervals."
Figurative use: Space is often used figuratively to describe mental or emotional room: "I need some space right now" (I need time alone). This is informal but very common in everyday British English.
Design and typography: In design, white space (also called negative space) refers to areas intentionally left empty to improve readability and visual balance. This is a useful term for writing and publishing contexts.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
There was no spaces left in the car park.
There were no spaces left in the car park. (countable plural needs were)
The astronaut travelled to the space.
The astronaut travelled to space. (no article with the uncountable, astronomical sense)
She spaced the furniture with large gaps.
She spaced the furniture out with large gaps. (verb usually requires the particle out)