Outstretched

Outstretched is an adjective describing something that has been extended outward from the body or from its normal position, most often referring to limbs. It derives from the combination of out- with stretch and functions as the past participle of the verb outstretch, though it is widely used attributively to describe posture or gesture.

In everyday language it is most common with arms or hands: outstretched arms or an outstretched hand. The term is also used for wings, legs, or other appendages that are fully extended. In art, photography, and literature it conveys openness, vulnerability, or a gesture of help or appeal. In sports and exercise, an outstretched limb can indicate reach, balance, or a stretching posture. In anatomy it characterizes a posture that places the limbs away from the torso, influencing leverage and weight distribution.

Related terms include extended, stretched out, and fully extended. Antonyms include bent, folded, contracted, or flexed. The concept is widely applicable to humans, animals, and even statues and silhouettes that emphasize linear extension and the line of sight.