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.