Diffuse
To spread out or distribute over a wide area; to disperse or disseminate. As an adjective, describing something that is not concentrated or is unfocused/rambling.
verb (also adjective)Diffuse
To spread out or distribute over a wide area; to disperse or disseminate. As an adjective, describing something that is not concentrated or is unfocused/rambling.
verb (also adjective)Imagine This
Imagine turning on a diffuser or opening a bottle of perfume in a room; the scent or light Diffuses outward, filling the space evenly rather than staying in a beam.
Sounds Like
dih-FYOOS (verb) or DIF-yooz (adjective)
Looks Like
Resembles the word 'diffuse' and is often confused with 'defuse' due to similar spelling; visually linked to diffusion imagery (spread out).
Remember This
Diffuse and diffusion share a common theme of spreading or dispersing; avoid mixing up with defuse (to remove a fuse or to de-escalate).
Other Forms
Connect With
diffusion, dispersion, dissemination, permeate, spread
Note
Common mistakes: using diffuse to mean 'to defuse' (confuses opposite concepts). Also, note the adjective form can describe something unfocused or not concentrated (diffuse reasoning) rather than purely physical spreading.
Study Deeper
- Soft, diffuse lighting filled the gallery, eliminating harsh shadows.
- News diffuses quickly through social networks in the modern era.
From Latin diffusus, past participle of diffundere 'to pour out, spread widely' (dis- + fundere 'to pour'). The word evolved to mean spreading out in space or in thought.
Mnemonic: Imagine a diffuser dispersing scent through a room. Diffuse means to spread out, just like fragrance filling the space.
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