WordDream · Your AI dictionary

diffuse

English → EnglishformalInstant · from the shared dictionary
Illustration of "diffuse": To diffuse means to spread something—like light, heat, or an idea—over a wide area or among a large

What does "diffuse" mean?

To diffuse means to spread something—like light, heat, or an idea—over a wide area or among a large number of people. Imagine a drop of food coloring hitting a glass of water; it doesn't stay in one spot but slowly travels outward until the entire glass is tinted. In a social or technical context, this word is often used to describe how information, technology, or rumors permeate a community. While it is a formal term, it is frequently used in professional or academic settings to discuss how things move from a central point to the periphery.

"diffuse" in conversation

Office strategy meeting

We need to find a better way to diffuse our new policy updates to the remote team.

We need to find a better way to spread our new policy updates to the remote team.

Maybe we should use a dedicated Slack channel for that?

Maybe we should use a dedicated Slack channel for that?

Diffuse is used here to describe the distribution of information.

Physics lab discussion

If we use a frosted glass cover, it will diffuse the laser light.

If we use a frosted glass cover, it will spread out the laser light.

So the beam won't be as sharp?

So the beam won't be as sharp?

This refers to the literal scattering of light waves.

"diffuse" in a sentence

  1. The curtains help to diffuse the bright sunlight.

    The curtains help to diffuse the bright sunlight.

  2. Innovation tends to diffuse slowly through traditional industries.

    Innovation tends to diffuse slowly through traditional industries.

  3. The report was released to diffuse the growing tension among the stakeholders.

    The report was released to diffuse the growing tension among the stakeholders.

Not another dictionary

An AI-native multilingual dictionary: decode the words other dictionaries can't handle.

WordDream explains every word the way a teacher would, with real-life scenes, graded examples, audio and a picture. It also covers what traditional dictionaries miss: names, places, proper nouns, internet slang, and words that don't translate.

And it isn't just English. Look up words in any language, keep a multilingual Notebook, and turn your saved words into stories with Spin a yarn.

Try WordDream: Look up a wordOpen “diffuse” in WordDream

Free account · sign in to use features

More everyday & curious words

Browse the whole set in Everyday & Curious Words.

Explained by WordDream, an AI-native multilingual dictionary.