diffuse

[ verb dih-fyooz; adjective dih-fyoos ]

verb (used with object)

, dif·fused, dif·fusing.

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)

, dif·fused, dif·fusing.

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

/ dɪˈfjuːslɪ; dɪˈfjuːzəbəl /

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 reflection

   diffuse light

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

Usage

See defuse

Derived Forms

• difˌfusiˈbility, noun
• diffusely, adverb
• diffusible, adjective
• difˈfuseness, noun

Other Words From

• dif·fuse·ly [dih-, fyoos, -lee], adverb
• dif·fuseness noun
• inter·dif·fuse verb interdiffused interdiffusing
• nondif·fuse adjective
• nondif·fused adjective
• nondif·fusing adjective
• over·dif·fuse verb overdiffused overdiffusing adjective
• over·dif·fusely adverb
• over·dif·fuseness noun
• redif·fuse verb rediffused rediffusing
• undif·fused adjective
• well-dif·fused 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

It’s a simulation designed by a startup called Mursion, which makes “immersive virtual reality training for emotional intelligence in the workplace” to help employees and managers “practice” diffusing, redirecting, and de-escalating office conflicts.

From Fortune

Red supergiants are surrounded by diffuse clouds of gas and dust that are full of elements that are forged only in stars — and those clouds form before the star explodes.

From Science News

It means that bioengineered neurons, inside a brain, need to have a sensitive and powerful enough opsin “door” that responds to light—even when light pulses are diffused by the skull and brain tissue.

From Singularity Hub 

If 67P’s ultraviolet aurora were visible, it would look like a diffuse halo around the comet.

From Science News

We also discovered that methane was diffusing upward from the sediments, fueling bacteria that oxidize methane for energy.

From Quanta Magazine

The protests so far have relied on a small group of core organizing bodies to harness broad but diffuse support.

From The Daily Beast

Organizations engaging in network are often diffuse, leaderless, and incredibly resilient.

From The Daily Beast

At one point they even told her she was delusional, despite her diffuse ulcerating lesions.

From The Daily Beast

With two Texans in the running as potential candidates, Sessions sought to diffuse any awkwardness.

From The Daily Beast

They intercept and diffuse, to some extent babysitting the possible aggressor until the disease of violent intent has passed.

From The Daily Beast

During meal-times, a large punkah is employed to diffuse an agreeable degree of coolness through the apartment.

From Project Gutenberg

She herself may be happy in a Solitude, but she might diffuse happiness among a larger circle of her friends.

From Project Gutenberg

Zeno declined all worldly honors in order that he might diffuse the doctrines of his master.

From Project Gutenberg

The back-pain is a diffuse ache, or it manifests itself on pressure at certain spots along the spine.

From Project Gutenberg

The most beautiful and fragrant flowers adorn its forests, whose trees diffuse the sweetest odours.

From Project Gutenberg