Diffuse
/dɪˈfjuːz/
adjectiveverbB2
Definition
As a verb, diffuse means to spread something like light, gas, or information over a large area so it is not concentrated in one spot. As an adjective, diffuse describes something that is spread out, not clear, or not focused in a small area.
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See It in Action
Verb: To spread out or scatter over a large area
- •The perfume slowly diffused through the air.
- •The heat diffuses evenly across the metal surface.
- •Information about the event diffused quickly on social media.
Adjective: Spread out and not concentrated in one place
- •The room had diffuse light from the cloudy sky.
- •The problem was caused by diffuse pollution affecting many areas.
- •Her explanation was diffuse and hard to follow.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "diffuse" like "spread" (A1 word), but more gentle and wide, not quick or tight
- ✓Picture sunlight passing through a thin curtain, soft and covering the whole room, not sharp or direct
- ✓It's the feeling when a smell slowly fills a room, not strong in one corner but everywhere
- ✓Sounds like "die-FUSE" → imagine a fuse (a string that burns) slowly spreading light all around
- ✓Imagine a fog that covers a whole field, not just a small spot—that’s diffuse
- ✓NOT like "focus" (concentrated in one place), diffuse is the opposite: spread out and soft
- ✓NOT like "scatter" (quick and uneven), diffuse is more smooth and even spreading
- ✓NOT like "shine" (light coming directly), diffuse light is soft and comes from many directions
Try Other Words
- •Spread: to move or cover over a larger area (Use when the action is simple and general)
- •Scatter: to throw or drop things in different directions (Use when the spreading is quick, uneven, or messy)
- •Disperse: to cause to go in different directions (Use when talking about people, particles, or groups moving apart)
- •Dissipate: to slowly disappear or waste away (Use when something spreads and then fades or weakens)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "dis-" (a variant of "dif-" meaning apart) + "fuse" (to pour or pour out)
- •Etymology: From Latin "diffundere" meaning "to pour out, spread out"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 15th century to mean spreading or scattering
- •Modern usage: Common in science (light, heat, gases) and everyday language (information, feelings)
- •Key insight: The idea of something flowing out or spreading gently and widely
Reflect & Connect
•In what situations is it better for something to be diffuse rather than focused or strong?
•How can understanding the idea of diffusion help in learning about nature, communication, or emotions?
Fill in the blanks
1.The smell of fresh bread began to diffuse ___ the entire kitchen, making everyone hungry.
2.When light is diffuse, it does not create ___ shadows but soft, gentle ones.
3.Unlike a sharp beam, diffuse light spreads ___ and covers a wide area.
4.The teacher tried to diffuse the tension in the classroom by ___ a joke.
5.Heat diffuses from the warm cup to the cold air, causing the cup to feel ___.
6.When information diffuses through a group, it usually spreads ___ and reaches many people.
7.A diffuse problem is one that does not have a ___ cause but many small reasons.