intersperse

[ in-ter-spurs ]

/ ˌɪn tərˈspɜrs /

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See synonyms for: intersperse / interspersed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), in·ter·spersed, in·ter·spers·ing.

to scatter here and there or place at intervals among other things: to intersperse flowers among shrubs.

to diversify with something placed or scattered at intervals: to intersperse a dull speech with interesting anecdotes.

OTHER WORDS FOR intersperse

1 strew, sprinkle.

See synonyms for intersperse on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of intersperse

1560–70; <Latin interspersus (past participle of interspergere to strew here and there), equivalent to inter-inter- + -spersus, combining form of sparsus, past participle of spargere to scatter; see disperse

OTHER WORDS FROM intersperse

in·ter·spers·ed·ly

[in-ter-spur-sid-lee], /ˌɪn tərˈspɜr sɪd li/, adverbin·ter·sper·sion

[in-ter-spur-zhuhn or, especially British, -shuhn], /ˌɪn tərˈspɜr ʒən or, especially British, -ʃən/, in·ter·sper·sal, nounun·in·ter·spersed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use intersperse in a sentence

Pods of vaccinated health care workers are to be interspersed throughout the stadium between pods of non-vaccinated fans.
Super spreader Sunday? Experts worry Super Bowl could trigger coronavirus explosion|Brittany Shammas, Fenit Nirappil, Mark Maske|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
The new compatibilizer molecule contains two segments of polyethylene, interspersed with two segments of polypropylene.
Chemists are reimagining recycling to keep plastics out of landfills|Maria Temming|January 27, 2021|Science News
This was unfortunately interspersed with moments of deep confusion and terror.
When Your Father Falls Apart|Eugene Robinson|December 23, 2020|Ozy
The interspersion of some discords seems to imply serious differences of opinion between the parties to the treaty.
Charles Dickens and Music|James T. Lightwood

It admitted of a free interspersion of rhymed lines, and of other dubious modifications of the strict measure.
The Mermaid Series. Edited by H. Ellis. The best plays of the old dramatists. Thomas Dekker. Edited, with an introduction and notes by Ernest Rhys.|Thomas Dekker
The interspersion of comments in dialogues is another matter of detail which greatly increases or lessens the finish of work.
Talks on Writing English|Arlo Bates
Their irregularity is owing to the interspersion of sea and land, and the irregularities of the earths surface.
A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar|Ebenezer Cobham Brewer

British Dictionary definitions for intersperse

intersperse

/ (ˌɪntəˈspɜːs) /

verb (tr)

to scatter or distribute among, between, or on

to diversify (something) with other things scattered here and there

Derived forms of intersperse

interspersedly (ˌɪntəˈspɜːsɪdlɪ), adverbinterspersion (ˌɪntəˈspɜːʃən) or interspersal, noun

Word Origin for intersperse

C16: from Latin interspargere, from inter- + spargere to sprinkle

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

intersperse

OTHER WORDS FOR intersperse

Origin of intersperse

OTHER WORDS FROM intersperse

Words related to intersperse

How to use intersperse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for intersperse

Derived forms of intersperse

Word Origin for intersperse