diffuse
/dɪˈfjuːz/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪfjˈus] /dɪˈfjuːz/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪfjˈus] /di-ˈfyüs How to pronounce diffuse (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /dɪˈfjuːs/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪfjˈus] /dɪˈfjuːs/ (ame, ipa)
diffuse — verb
- diffusepresent simple I / you / we / they
- diffuses3rd person singular
- diffusing-ing form
- diffusedpast simple
1. to move outward into many places, or to send something outward so it reaches a w
to move outward into many places, or to send something outward so it reaches a wide area
The loudspeaker diffused the warning across the beach before the storm.
diffuse + warning across a place
By lunch, news of the surprise quiz had diffused through the school.
intransitive: news diffuses through a group
Open vents diffused the warm air through every room upstairs.
Mayumi opened the shutters to diffuse the baking smell through the shop.
After the doors opened, laughter diffused quickly along the corridor.
- concentrate
suggests keeping something gathered in one area instead of letting it spread
- contain
focuses on stopping movement beyond a limited space
文法句型
diffuse + smell/news/air + through or across + place
news/laughter/smell + diffuse + through or across + place
用法筆記
Often used in formal writing for things that spread through an area or among people. Distinguish it from sense 2: this sense is about wider movement or circulation, not gradual mixing into a surrounding material.
常見錯誤
2. to move little by little through something around it as it mixes in, or to make
to move little by little through something around it as it mixes in, or to make a substance spread in this way
Blue dye diffused through the water until the whole bowl turned green.
intransitive: diffuse through a liquid
Mei watched the tea leaves diffuse their color into hot water.
diffuse + color into a liquid
After Karim opened the bottle, the gas diffused into the empty jar.
A drop of paint diffused slowly through the milk on the plate.
The machine diffused oxygen into the fish tank overnight.
- concentrate
suggests remaining gathered in one part rather than spreading through the material
文法句型
gas/liquid/color + diffuse + through or into + material
diffuse + gas/liquid + into + material or container
用法筆記
Usually used for gases, liquids, color, or other substances moving through another material. Distinguish it from sense 1: this sense focuses on mixing into something around it, not on spreading more generally through a place or group.
diffuse — adjective
- diffusepositive
- more diffusecomparative
- most diffusesuperlative
1. found in many parts rather than gathered in one spot
found in many parts rather than gathered in one spot
The lamp gave a diffuse glow that filled the tent softly.
light spread gently instead of in one beam
At sunrise, diffuse mist hung above the harbor.
Diffuse applause rose from several corners of the hall.
The illness caused diffuse pain across Emily's lower back.
After the fireworks ended, diffuse smoke drifted above the river.
- scattered
suggests separate parts spread over an area
- spread-out
more everyday and less formal
- widespread
often used for something present in many places, especially abstract things
- concentrated
gathered strongly in one area or point
- localized
limited to one small area
用法筆記
Often used for light, pain, smoke, sound, or other things that are spread rather than focused in one spot.
2. hard to follow because the ideas wander and use more words than needed
hard to follow because the ideas wander and use more words than needed
The professor's diffuse answer left Hari unsure what to write.
diffuse answer = long and hard to follow
After ten minutes of diffuse talk, the meeting still had no plan.
The article felt so diffuse that Mei lost the main point.
Karim gave a diffuse report, so the team asked for bullet points.
The lawyer's diffuse explanation confused the parents at the school office.
用法筆記
Usually describes speaking or writing. It suggests the ideas are loosely arranged, so listeners or readers struggle to find the main point.