Disperseto cause people or things to spread out and separate usually means to make people or things spread out and move in different directions. It can also mean to spread something around, such as particlestiny pieces of matter, light, or informationfacts or details that are shared or communicated.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /dih-SPURS/
Easy pronunciation: dih-SPURS (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: dis-PERSE.
Verb sense: to spread out and go in different directions.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Disperse Meaning
to spread out and go in different directions
Part of speech: verb
Definition: move away from each other or make something move away from each other and spread out
Example: The crowd dispersed after the concert ended.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- scatter — A close everyday synonym when people or things spread out in different directions.
- spread out — Works well when something becomes less concentrated over a wider area.
- dissipate — Can work for crowds, mist, or energy, but is a little more formal.
- break up — Good when a group separates and stops staying together.
- dispel — Can fit when something is driven apart or cleared away, but is less common in everyday use.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Disperse
Meaning 2
to spread information around
Part of speech: verb
Definition: cause something such as information, ideas, or news to spread widely
Example: The leaflet was distributed across the city.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- broadcast — Works when information is sent out widely, but it often suggests radio, TV, or a broad audience.
- circularise — British spelling; means to send around formally.
- circularize — American spelling; means to send around formally.
- circulate — A natural synonym for spreading news, papers, or ideas widely.
- diffuse — Used for spreading ideas, knowledge, or light more broadly.
- disseminate — A strong match for spreading information or ideas widely.
- distribute — Works when materials or information are handed out or sent around.
- pass around — Natural in informal English for sharing information with several people.
- propagate — Can mean to spread ideas or beliefs, but is more formal.
- spread — A broad, practical synonym for making information known more widely.
Meaning 3
to split or separate particles
Part of speech: verb
Definition: separate particles or matter
Example: The treatment disperses the tiny particles in the liquid.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- break up — Works when a mass or cluster is separated into smaller parts.
- scatter — A good fit for particles moving apart.
Meaning 4
to spread small things over a surface
Part of speech: verb
Definition: distribute loosely over an area
Example: She scattered seeds over the soil.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- dot — Used when small items are placed here and there.
- dust — Works when a fine layer of something is spread lightly over a surface.
- scatter — A direct match for spreading small items loosely.
- sprinkle — Fits when small amounts are spread lightly over something.
Meaning 5
to split light into its colours
Part of speech: verb
Definition: separate light into spectral rays
Example: A prism disperses white light into a spectrum.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Disperse Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- scatter
- spread out
- break up
- dissipate
- distribute
- disseminate
- circulate
- sprinkle
spread information, ideas, or news widely
- broadcast
- circulate
- diffuse
- disseminate
- distribute
- pass around
- propagate
- spread
separate particles or matter
- break up
- scatter
spread small things loosely over an area
- dot
- dust
- scatter
- sprinkle
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using disperse to mean only 'spread information' in every context. It can also mean people or things moving apart.
- Confusing disperse with distribute. Distribute usually means to hand out or give out items, while disperse focuses on spreading apart.
- Using disperse for light without noting the special scientific sense of splitting light into colours.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does disperse mean in simple English?
Disperse means to spread out or move away in different directions. It can also mean to spread information, particles, or light.
What are the main synonyms of disperse?
Common synonyms include scatter, spread out, break up, dissipate, distribute, and disseminate, depending on the sense.
Is disperse the same as distribute?
Not exactly. Distribute means to hand out or send things to people. Disperse means to spread apart or move in different directions.
Can disperse be used for light?
Yes. In science, disperse can mean to split light into its different colours or rays.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.