rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydiffuseWide distribution
adjective / verb

diffuse

dih-FYOOZ/dɪˈfjuːs/

Spread widely rather than concentrated at one point.

A sheer curtain diffuses sunlight into soft light across the room.

Sunlight filtered through a sheer curtain spreads broadly and softly across a room.
Etymology
difLatinapart, in every direction
+fuseLatinto pour

Something 'poured in every direction' is scattered rather than concentrated. That image connects the physical sense of being widely spread with the unfocused quality of diffuse writing or explanation.

In context

NOVA PBS Official6:02
a diffuse light to the eye becomes a sharp beam.
Your Brain: Perception Deception | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

More examples

  • The lamp casts a diffuse glow over the table.
  • The scent of fresh bread diffuses through the kitchen.
  • Her diffuse explanation leaves us unsure of her main point.

Forms

diffuse · diffuses · diffused · diffusing · more diffuse · most diffuse

diffusion noun — The process of spreading over an area.

diffuseness noun — The quality of lacking concentration or concision.

Similar words

disperse
Emphasizes scattering things apart rather than distributing them throughout.
scattered
Describes separate things spread apart, rather than a continuous distribution.
rambling
Describes speech or writing that wanders without clear direction.