diffused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diffused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been spread out or dispersed, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The scent of the flowers diffused throughout the room, creating a pleasant atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The corollary is that if a technology is not diffused promptly, it may at best be diffused only slowly and incompletely.Judging by the World Bank's index, that is what seems to be happening in some places.

The Economist

The overall argument in Gatherings was that concentrated graveyard gases caused instant death in man and beast; foul-smelling grounds, constantly releasing more diffused miasma, did not produce sudden death – but they debilitated those living nearby, according to their level of exposure and individual resistance.

The Guardian

Several simmering bilateral trade disputes, from bananas to Irish music, seemed to have been largely diffused.

The Economist

Members of the management board are jointly responsible for running the company.Power is thus (theoretically, at least) highly diffused.

The Economist

In the most modern LCDs this light is generated by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and is then diffused in a special layer of the screen behind the shutters.

The Economist

In modern companies and democracies, power is increasingly diffused and traditional hierarchies are being undermined, making soft power ever more important.

The Economist

The American development of mass production methods was also encouraged by the country's higher and more widely diffused incomes which supported an ample domestic market for the new metals-based durable goods.

The Economist

Britain and America have widely diffused share ownership with strict rules to protect minority shareholders.

The Economist

Power was once again diffused outwards to workers in the field.

The Economist

This is partly because some of the light has been absorbed by the preceding tissue, but it is also because the laser light is dispersed, diffused and back-scattered.

The Economist

After all, globalisation and the new supranational clubs mean that sovereignty is increasingly diffused and nation-states are not as self-sufficient as they were.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the spread of abstract concepts like ideas or power, "diffused" effectively conveys a sense of decentralization and broader distribution. For example, "Power was increasingly diffused throughout the organization".

Common error

Be careful not to use "diffused" when you actually mean that something became more concentrated or focused. "Diffused" always implies a spreading out or thinning effect.

Linguistic Context

The word "diffused" primarily functions as the past participle or past tense of the verb "diffuse". It is used to describe the action of something spreading out or becoming less concentrated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a state resulting from the process of diffusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "diffused" is commonly used to describe the state of something that has spread out or become less concentrated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across diverse sources, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. It can be used to describe physical phenomena, like light or gas, as well as abstract concepts such as power or information. Key considerations include ensuring the context aligns with the idea of spreading and avoiding confusion with terms implying concentration or focus. When aiming for clarity, alternatives like "spread out" or "disseminated" can provide nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread out

Focuses on the spatial distribution of something, similar to diffused but without necessarily implying a decrease in concentration.

dispersed

Highlights the act of scattering something, similarly to diffused but usually more sudden or forceful.

scattered

Emphasizes the random distribution of something, differing from diffused in its lack of a smooth or even dispersal.

disseminated

Highlights the act of spreading information or ideas widely, akin to diffused in a non-physical context.

permeated

Suggests a thorough and pervasive spreading, similar to diffused but implying a deeper penetration.

propagated

Emphasizes the active spreading or reproduction of something, diverging from diffused in its connotation of growth or increase.

radiated

Suggests spreading out from a central point, similar to diffused but implying a source of origin.

circulated

Refers to the movement of something among people or places, differing from diffused in its focus on cyclical or repeated movement.

broadcast

Implies a wide and public distribution of information or signals, different from diffused in its specific medium of transmission.

dissipated

Emphasizes the gradual disappearance or fading of something as it spreads, unlike diffused which simply implies spreading.

FAQs

How can I use "diffused" in a sentence?

You can use "diffused" to describe something that has spread out or become less concentrated, such as "The light was diffused through the frosted glass" or "The tension in the room diffused after the announcement".

What's a good alternative to "diffused"?

Depending on the context, suitable alternatives to "diffused" include "spread out", "disseminated", or "dispersed".

Is it correct to say something is "highly diffused"?

Yes, saying something is "highly diffused" emphasizes that it is widely spread or decentralized. For example, "Power in the organization was highly diffused".

What is the difference between "diffused" and "dispersed"?

"Diffused" typically implies a gradual and even spreading, while "dispersed" can suggest a more forceful or scattered distribution. Both terms indicate spreading out, but the manner of spreading differs.