diffuse

[ verb dih-fyooz; adjective dih-fyoos ]

/ verb dɪˈfyuz; adjective dɪˈfyus /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR diffuse ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), dif·fused, dif·fusing.

to pour out and spread, as a fluid.

to spread or scatter widely or thinly; disseminate.

Physics. to spread by diffusion.

verb (used without object), dif·fused, dif·fusing.

to spread.

Physics. to intermingle by diffusion.

adjective

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

widely spread or scattered; dispersed.

Botany. widely or loosely spreading.

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

Nearby words

diffraction pattern, diffractive, diffractively, diffractometer, diffusate, diffuse, diffuse abscess, diffuse cataract, diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, diffuse mesangial proliferation

Origin of diffuse

1350–1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin diffūsus spread, poured forth. See dif-, fuse²

Related forms

dif·fuse·ly

[dih-fyoos-lee] /dɪˈfyus li/, adverbdif·fuse·ness, nounin·ter·dif·fuse, verb, in·ter·dif·fused, in·ter·dif·fus·ing.non·dif·fuse, adjective

non·dif·fused, adjectivenon·dif·fus·ing, adjectiveo·ver·dif·fuse, verb, o·ver·dif·fused, o·ver·dif·fus·ing, adjectiveo·ver·dif·fuse·ly, adverbo·ver·dif·fuse·ness, nounre·dif·fuse, verb, re·dif·fused, re·dif·fus·ing.un·dif·fused, adjectivewell-dif·fused, adjective

Can be confused

defuse diffuse

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for diffuse

The protests so far have relied on a small group of core organizing bodies to harness broad but diffuse support.
Eric Garner Protesters Have a Direct Line to City Hall|Jacob Siegel|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Organizations engaging in network are often diffuse, leaderless, and incredibly resilient.
ISIS Is Winning the Online Jihad Against the West|Ali Fisher, Nico Prucha|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At one point they even told her she was delusional, despite her diffuse ulcerating lesions.
Why Your Doctor Feels Like a 'Beaten Dog'|Daniela Drake|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With two Texans in the running as potential candidates, Sessions sought to diffuse any awkwardness.
Republicans Panicked After Eric Cantor Loss: ‘This Is Like Robespierre’|Ben Jacobs, Tim Mak|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They intercept and diffuse, to some extent babysitting the possible aggressor until the disease of violent intent has passed.
Using Strategies Reserved for Disease Outbreak, Activists Try to “Cure” Urban Violence|Sarah Kunst|April 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of the deliberate and diffuse Federationist there remained no trace, save the binoculars and two damp whiskers.
A Diversity of Creatures|Rudyard Kipling
Let whoever can do better; but meantime let us welcome and diffuse the Earth Closet.
What I know of farming:|Horace Greeley
It follows that the light emitted by the central axis of the tail greatly exceeds in actinic power the diffuse light around it.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7|Various
The sciences and the arts, encouraged, were beginning to diffuse themselves; brigandage was breathing its last sigh.
Joseph Bonaparte|John S. C. Abbott
Ariosto I find as diffuse, in parts, as Spenser—I understand completely the difference between them.
Letters of John Keats to His Family and Friends|John Keats

British Dictionary definitions for diffuse

diffuse

verb (dɪˈfjuːz)

to spread or cause to spread in all directions

to undergo or cause to undergo diffusion

to scatter or cause to scatter; disseminate; disperse

adjective (dɪˈfjuːs)

spread out over a wide area

lacking conciseness

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

characterized by or exhibiting diffusiondiffuse light; diffuse reflection

botany (of plant growth) occurring throughout a tissue

Derived Forms

diffusely (dɪˈfjuːslɪ), adverbdiffuseness, noundiffusible (dɪˈfjuːzəbəl), adjectivediffusibility or diffusibleness, noun

Word Origin for diffuse

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

confusable

Avoid confusion with defuse

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for diffuse

diffuse

[ dĭ-fyōōs′ ]

adj.

Not limited to one tissue or location; widespread.

v.

To spread or to be spread widely, as through a tissue.

Related forms

dif•fus′i•ble (-fyōō′zə-bəl) adj.

diffuse

verb (used with object), dif·fused, dif·fusing.

verb (used without object), dif·fused, dif·fusing.

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of diffuse

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for diffuse

British Dictionary definitions for diffuse

diffuse

verb (dɪˈfjuːz)

adjective (dɪˈfjuːs)

Derived Forms

Word Origin for diffuse

confusable

Medicine definitions for diffuse

diffuse

adj.

v.

Related forms