diffuse

[dih-fyooz, dih-fyoos]

verb (used with object)

diffused, diffusing 

1. to pour out and spread, as a fluid.

2. to spread or scatter widely or thinly; disseminate.

3. Physics.,  to spread by diffusion.

verb (used without object)

diffused, diffusing 

1. to spread.

2. Physics.,  to intermingle by diffusion.

adjective

1. characterized by great length or discursiveness in speech or writing; wordy.

2. widely spread or scattered; dispersed.

3. Botany.,  widely or loosely spreading.

4. Optics.,  (of reflected light) scattered, as from a rough surface (specular ).

diffuse

/ dɪˈfjuːzəbəl, dɪˈfjuːslɪ /

verb

1. to spread or cause to spread in all directions

2. to undergo or cause to undergo diffusion

3. to scatter or cause to scatter; disseminate; disperse

adjective

1. spread out over a wide area

2. lacking conciseness

3. (esp of some creeping stems) spreading loosely over a large area

4. characterized by or exhibiting diffusion

   diffuse light

   diffuse reflection

5. botany (of plant growth) occurring throughout a tissue

Confusables Note

See defuse

Other Word Forms

• diffusely adverb
• diffuseness noun
• diffusibility noun
• diffusible adjective
• interdiffuse verb
• nondiffuse adjective
• nondiffused adjective
• nondiffusing adjective
• overdiffuse verb
• overdiffusely adverb
• overdiffuseness noun
• rediffuse verb
• undiffused adjective
• well-diffused adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffuse¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Latin diffūsus spread, poured forth. See dif-, fuse ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffuse¹

C15: from Latin diffūsus spread abroad, from diffundere to pour forth, from dis- away + fundere to pour

Example Sentences

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, told the BBC people in leadership positions in the UK needed to think about how to "reduce and diffuse tension and not sow division".

From BBC

The mystery can never linger too long without a wildly conspicuous hint at what’s really happening, or a bit of sudden shock comedy to diffuse the suspense.

From Salon

For the more intangible cultural communities lost — like the music studios, rehearsal rooms and artists’ homes burned in both fires — recovery will be diffuse.

From Los Angeles Times

Improving the sensitivity is important for detecting releases from agriculture which are often much more diffuse than from oil and gas production.

From BBC

Draper quickly diffused what could have been a tricky encounter, showing his superior quality and experience from the start.

From BBC