diffuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "diffuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean "spread out or cause to spread out across a wide area," or as an adjective to mean "not concentrated or localized." Example sentence: The sunlight that streams through the window diffuses across the hardwood floor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sodium and chloride ions pass out of the concentrated solution to the neighbouring weak ones by diffusion though these bridges (any chemical will diffuse from a high to a low concentration in this way).

The Economist

I was diagnosed with a malign non-Hodgkin diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

The Guardian

For most of us, particularly in an era of portfolio careers, multitasking and endless reassessments of our training needs, success and failure are diffuse and fuzzy.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're not making the decisions, and our losses are indirect and diffuse, whereas that view of a rolling field can be appreciated every day.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also presented him with the opportunity to diffuse allegations made by his ex-wife, which Gingrich essentially neutralized during the first five minutes of the last debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Does it aim to diffuse the practice or to eradicate it?" The prosecution replied: "State policy is aimed at the eradication [of torture], of course!".

The Guardian

Regardless of the inaccuracies that surround his reputation, Maupassant's influence is in reality so diffuse that there are few short-story writers of the past century who aren't in some way indebted to him.

The Guardian - Books

That is, I believed the MP3s I'd downloaded had been sourced from scattered uploaders around the globe and that this diffuse network of rippers was not organised in any meaningful way.

The Guardian - Books

Reforms require conviction, communication and the mobilisation of the potential winners, usually a more diffuse group than the losers.

The Economist

Corruption is common enough in the north, says Antonio La Spina of LUISS university in Rome, but it is more diffuse in the south, even if sums involved tend to be smaller.

The Economist

Two exceptions: Balla's "Automobile in Corsa" (1913), a study of speed that sold at Sotheby's in November for $11.5m, is worth a visit by itself; so is Ivo Pannaggi's "Treno in Corsa" (1922; pictured).What gives the show depth, though, is its exploration of futurism's second, more diffuse and contradictory phase, which began after the first world war.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diffuse" as an adjective, ensure it clearly describes something lacking focus or being widespread. For instance, a "diffuse" light source is not concentrated, but rather spread out.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "diffuse" with "defuse". "Diffuse" means to spread out, while "defuse" means to make something less harmful or tense. Pay attention to the context to ensure you are using the correct word.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "diffuse" is as a verb or an adjective. As a verb, it describes the action of spreading something out. As an adjective, it describes something that is not concentrated or focused. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "diffuse" is a versatile term, primarily functioning as a verb or adjective. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively describes the act of spreading something out or characterizing something as lacking focus. Its usage is common across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While maintaining a neutral register, it's crucial to avoid confusion with "defuse". By understanding its nuances and consulting resources like Ludwig, writers can confidently and accurately employ "diffuse" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread

This alternative offers a more general term for extending or distributing something.

spread out

This alternative highlights the action of extending or scattering something over a wider area.

scatter

This alternative emphasizes the act of dispersing something randomly or in different directions.

disperse

This alternative focuses on the action of breaking up and spreading something widely.

permeate

This alternative emphasizes the idea of something spreading throughout and becoming present in every part of something else.

distribute

This alternative highlights the act of dividing and giving out something.

unfocused

This alternative describes a lack of concentration or clear direction.

vague

This alternative describes a lack of clarity or precision.

alleviate

This alternative refers to the act of reducing or lessening something negative, like tension or worry.

soften

This alternative implies a lessening of intensity or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "diffuse" in a sentence?

You can use "diffuse" as a verb to mean 'to spread out' as in 'The scent of lavender diffused through the room'. Or as an adjective meaning 'not concentrated' as in 'The organization had a diffuse structure'.

What can I say instead of "diffuse"?

You can use alternatives like "spread out", "scatter", or "disperse" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "diffuse" or "defuse"?

"Diffuse" means to spread out or scatter, while "defuse" means to make something less dangerous or tense. The correct word depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "diffuse" and "dilute"?

"Diffuse" generally refers to spreading out or scattering, while "dilute" means to make something weaker or less concentrated, often by adding a solvent. Though related, they aren't perfectly interchangeable.