spreads
spreads — verb
- spreadspresent simple I / you / we / they
- spreadses3rd person singular
- spreadsing-ing form
- spreadsedpast simple
1. to get wider or cover more of a surface as something moves outward from where it
to get wider or cover more of a surface as something moves outward from where it started, such as when a liquid spills, a fire grows, or a mark becomes larger
Trang knocked over the glass and watched the water spread across the kitchen floor.
spread + across [a surface] for physical expansion
The oil from the damaged ship spread quickly over the surface of the sea.
If you leave the ink bottle open, the stain will spread through the paper.
The wildfire spread up the hillside while the firefighters tried to stop it.
spread + direction (up/over/across) for fire movement
Melted cheese spread across the hot pan and began to sizzle.
- spread rapidly
- spread across the floor / over the surface
- spread through the paper / fabric
Grammar Patterns
spread + across/over/through (a surface or area)
spread + noun + across/over + noun
Usage Note
The subject can be the thing that is growing (intransitive: 'The fire spread') or the person who causes it (transitive: 'The wind spread the fire').
Common Mistakes
2. to reach and have an effect on more and more people, places, or living things, e
to reach and have an effect on more and more people, places, or living things, especially when talking about a disease, news, fear, or an idea that passes from one to another
The flu spread through the school so fast that half the students stayed home.
spread + through [a community] for disease propagation
Rumours about the factory closing spread among the workers within hours.
The aid organisation worked hard to spread information about clean water safety.
spread + information/news/knowledge + to [people]
Panic spread through the crowd when the ground started shaking.
Social media helped spread the charity campaign to millions of new supporters.
- spread quickly/rapidly
- spread from person to person
- spread through the community / among workers
- spread news / rumours / information
Grammar Patterns
spread + to/through/among + people/places
spread + noun + to/among + people
Usage Note
Commonly used with diseases (spread a virus), emotions (spread panic/joy), and information (spread news/rumours). The transitive form ('someone spreads something') often implies intention; the intransitive form ('the panic spread') describes natural propagation.
Common Mistakes
3. to stretch over a wide physical area, describing the position or layout of a pla
to stretch over a wide physical area, describing the position or layout of a place such as a city, valley, forest, or desert
The city of Mumbai spreads over several islands along the west coast of India.
spread + over + [location] for stating position
Kabir looked out of the window at the desert spreading below for hundreds of miles.
The Watanabe family's rice fields spread across the valley all the way to the river.
A thick forest spreads north from the village for nearly thirty kilometres.
spread + direction + distance for geographic extent
The dry plains spread as far as the eye could see in every direction.
- spread across the valley / plains / desert
- spread over several kilometres / miles
- spread along the coast / river
Grammar Patterns
spread + across/over/for + distance or location
Usage Note
This sense describes a STATE or LOCATION, not a process. The subject is usually a large place or landscape. Unlike sense 1 (INCREASE AREA), which focuses on growth, this sense simply states how far something reaches.
4. to be found across many separate locations in a region or throughout the world,
to be found across many separate locations in a region or throughout the world, especially when talking about plants, animals, languages, or customs
The English language has spread throughout the world as a result of trade and colonisation.
spread + throughout + [wide region] for worldwide distribution
This species of bird spreads across the whole of South America, from Colombia to Argentina.
Adaeze explained that the religious festival spread from West Africa to the Caribbean centuries ago.
spread + from [origin] to [destination]
The tradition of drinking tea spreads across many cultures in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
This type of cactus spreads only in dry desert regions of the American Southwest.
- spread across the region / continent / world
- spread throughout [large area]
- spread from [origin] to [new location]
- be distributed
more formal; used in scientific or statistical contexts
- be found
simpler phrasing for natural existence in places
- be confined to
to exist only in a limited area
- be restricted to
to be limited to a particular place
Grammar Patterns
spread + across/through/throughout + region
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2 (AFFECT MORE): sense 4 describes where something EXISTS as a fact, not how it is currently MOVING to new places. Use this sense for static distribution patterns.
5. to take something folded, rolled, or closed and make it lie flat, thereby coveri
to take something folded, rolled, or closed and make it lie flat, thereby covering more space than before — for example, spreading a map, blanket, napkin, or pair of wings
Erik spread the map out on the bonnet so they could see the hiking trails.
spread + out + [folded object] for physical unfolding
Hiro spread a clean cloth over the picnic table and began unpacking the food.
The eagle spread its wide wings and rose high above the mountain.
Rafael spread the picnic blanket on the grass near the lake.
spread + blanket / cloth / mat on [surface]
Henry spread the newspaper open on the kitchen counter and read the headlines.
- spread out a map / blanket / cloth
- spread its wings / feathers
- spread a cloth over / on the table
Grammar Patterns
spread + out + noun (map / blanket / cloth / wings)
spread + noun + out
Usage Note
Often used with the particle 'out' (spread out the blanket). The object is always something that was previously folded, rolled, or closed. Compare with sense 6 (SCATTER OVER): unfolding makes one thing flat and open; scattering puts many separate things on a surface.
6. to arrange or place several separate things across a surface, usually with space
to arrange or place several separate things across a surface, usually with space between them or in a loose, casual way — for example, spreading photos on a table or toys on the carpet
Ada spread the wedding photos across the living room floor to choose the best ones.
spread + [objects] + across + [surface] for arranging items
The children had spread their art supplies all over the kitchen table.
Mert spread the seashells on the balcony rail to let them dry in the sun.
Ryo spread the broken clock parts across his desk to see how it worked.
spread + [disassembled objects] + across + [surface]
The baker spread fresh pastries on trays in the window for customers to see.
- spread across the table / floor / surface
- spread all over [a place]
- spread [objects] on a surface
- scatter
suggests a more random, less careful arrangement
- distribute
more formal; suggests intentional placement
Grammar Patterns
spread + noun + across/over/on + surface
spread + noun + with + scattered items
Usage Note
The items are usually loose, separate objects placed more or less evenly or casually. This sense is different from 'spread butter on bread' (chunk verb_b2, sense 10), which involves a soft substance applied in a layer. Sense 6 is about placing distinct objects.
Common Mistakes
7. to move your arms, legs, or fingers outward in opposite directions until they ar
to move your arms, legs, or fingers outward in opposite directions until they are as far apart as possible
Elena spread her arms wide and spun around in the empty park.
spread + possessive + arms wide
The yoga teacher told the class to spread their toes on the mat.
Lin spread his fingers as far as they would go to reach the top shelf.
spread + possessive + fingers for stretching apart
The bird spread its wings and flew off the fence into the morning sky.
- spread your arms wide
- spread your legs
- spread your fingers
- extend
more formal; can apply to limbs or time periods
- stretch out
emphasises reaching to the full length; slightly more informal
- fold
to bring arms or legs back close to the body
Grammar Patterns
spread + noun phrase (arms/legs/fingers)
Usage Note
The object is typically a body part that can be opened or extended — arms, legs, fingers, toes, or wings.
Common Mistakes
8. to tell a piece of information to many different people so that it becomes widel
to tell a piece of information to many different people so that it becomes widely known
News of the flood spread quickly through the village by word of mouth.
intransitive pattern: news + spread + adverb (quickly)
The Watanabe family spread the good news about their daughter's scholarship.
A neighbour spread a false rumour about the shop closing down next month.
spread + a false rumour — negative connotation
The story of the rescued kitten spread rapidly across social media platforms.
story + spread across [platform] — medium-neutral
- spread a rumour
- spread the news
- spread information
- spread a story
- spread gossip
- hide
to try to keep information secret
Grammar Patterns
spread + noun phrase (news/rumours/information)
Usage Note
Can be used both transitively (someone spreads something) and intransitively (something spreads on its own). The intransitive form is more common for news, fire, or diseases.
Common Mistakes
9. to divide something among a group so that each person gets a share, especially m
to divide something among a group so that each person gets a share, especially money, work, or resources
The inheritance was spread evenly among the three siblings after the will was read.
passive: be spread among + group
Mei-Lin spread the payment for her new sofa over six months to make it easier.
The manager spread the extra work across the whole team rather than giving it to one person.
spread + across + group — distribution over team members
The management team spread the project costs across three departments to keep each budget balanced.
- spread the cost
- spread the work
- spread payments
- spread evenly
- spread among
- spread over
- distribute
more formal and neutral; common in business contexts
- concentrate
to give everything to one person or put resources in one place
Grammar Patterns
spread + noun phrase + among/between + group
Usage Note
Often used with 'among' (more than two people) or 'between' (two people). 'Over' is used when talking about time — e.g. spread payments over several months.
Common Mistakes
10. to cover a surface with a soft substance, such as butter, jam, or cream, by smoo
to cover a surface with a soft substance, such as butter, jam, or cream, by smoothing it over the area evenly
Theo spread butter on his toast while the tea was still hot.
spread + butter on + [food] — typical food context
Chunhua spread a thick layer of sun cream over her arms and legs before going to the beach.
This cheese spreads easily even when it is cold, which makes it perfect for sandwiches.
intransitive: substance + spreads easily — describing a property
Nadia spread hummus on pitta bread and topped it with sliced cucumber.
- spread butter
- spread jam
- spread cream
- spread glue
- spread on bread
- spread evenly
- spread thickly
- scrape off
to remove a substance from a surface
Grammar Patterns
spread + substance + on/over + surface
Usage Note
With food items, the surface is typically bread, toast, or crackers. With non-food items (cream, paint, glue), the surface is any relevant object.
11. if a smile spreads across someone's face, it gradually appears and becomes bigge
if a smile spreads across someone's face, it gradually appears and becomes bigger, showing they are happy or amused
A slow smile spread across the old man's face when he saw his grandson at the door.
a smile + spread across + face — the core pattern
Olivia tried to look serious, but a wide grin spread over her face and gave her away.
A tiny smile spread across the baby's face when she heard her mother's voice.
a smile + spread across + face of a baby — natural context
A look of pure delight spread over Zahara's face as she opened the gift box.
- a smile spreads across
- a grin spreads over
- spread slowly
- spread from ear to ear
- creep across
suggests a slow, sometimes sneaky appearance
Grammar Patterns
a smile + spreads + across/over + face
Usage Note
Only the noun 'smile' or 'grin' is used as the subject. You cannot spread a smile on purpose — it happens naturally as a reaction.
Common Mistakes
spreads — noun
- spreadssingular
- spreadsesplural
1. the process by which something grows to cover a larger physical area or begins t
the process by which something grows to cover a larger physical area or begins to affect a greater number of people — used especially for diseases, fires, or plants.
The rapid spread of the wildfire forced thousands of families to leave their homes.
the spread of [disease/fire/problem]
Doctors are working hard to slow the spread of the virus in the city.
slow the spread
The spread of invasive plants has changed the whole ecosystem of the lake.
The government introduced new measures to contain the spread of the infection across the border.
contain the spread of [disease]
- rapid spread
- slow the spread
- prevent the spread
- wide spread
- global spread
- expansion
focuses on getting bigger in size or scale, without the sense of reaching outward into new territory
- diffusion
more technical or scientific; describes gradual mixing or spreading through a population
- proliferation
emphasises rapid increase in number, often of something unwanted
- containment
the act of keeping something within limits
Grammar Patterns
the spread of [something]
Usage Note
Commonly used with a prepositional phrase beginning with 'of' to name what is spreading. The verb pattern is often modified by adjectives such as 'rapid', 'slow', 'steady', 'global'.
Common Mistakes
2. the process by which knowledge, news, ideas, or beliefs reach a continuously gro
the process by which knowledge, news, ideas, or beliefs reach a continuously growing audience and become familiar to many people.
Social media has greatly accelerated the spread of news around the world.
the spread of [information/news]
The government tried to limit the spread of the rumour, but it was already everywhere.
limit / prevent the spread of [rumour/information]
The school library helped encourage the spread of new ideas among students.
The spread of reliable health information can save lives during a public health emergency.
spread of reliable [information/knowledge]
- spread of information
- spread of ideas
- spread of knowledge
- spread of gossip
- spread of culture
- dissemination
more formal; often used in academic or official writing about information
- circulation
focuses on the movement of information through a network, like news in a community
- transmission
can be about signals, data, or cultural elements passing from one person to another
- suppression
the act of stopping information from becoming known
Grammar Patterns
the spread of [knowledge/information/ideas]
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1 (which focuses on physical growth or disease), this sense involves information, culture, beliefs, or languages. The object is always an abstract thing that can be communicated.
3. the total area, distance, or range that something covers or reaches.
the total area, distance, or range that something covers or reaches.
The bird's wings have a spread of nearly two metres from tip to tip.
have a spread of [measurement]
The satellite image showed the full spread of the flood waters across the valley.
full spread of [something]
There was a beautiful spread of green hills as far as the children could see.
The drone's camera captured the full spread of the solar farm across the dry plain.
full spread of [something physical]
- wing spread
- full spread
- wide spread
- measure the spread
Grammar Patterns
a spread of [measurement]
Usage Note
Often used with a measurement or a visual description ('a wide spread', 'the full spread'). The focus is on the physical extent, not on the process of spreading.
4. an advertisement or article that fills one or more complete pages of a printed p
an advertisement or article that fills one or more complete pages of a printed periodical, often featuring large images and prominent text.
The car company bought a four-page spread in this month's fashion magazine.
[number]-page spread
The newspaper ran a double-page spread about the winner of the art competition.
double-page spread
Garcia's restaurant was featured in a full-colour spread in the local weekly paper.
The travel magazine featured a stunning ten-page spread on the islands of Japan.
[number]-page spread in [publication]
- double-page spread
- centre spread
- full-colour spread
- advertising spread
- editorial spread
- feature
a special article in a newspaper or magazine, but not necessarily page-filling
- layout
the design and arrangement of content on a page, not the content itself
- advertorial
an advertisement designed to look like an article
Grammar Patterns
a [number]-page spread
Usage Note
Common in publishing contexts. A 'double-page spread' or 'two-page spread' is standard terminology for content printed across two facing pages. Often modified by 'full-page', 'double-page', 'centre-page', or a number.
5. a soft food such as butter, jam, or cheese that you put onto bread, toast, or cr
a soft food such as butter, jam, or cheese that you put onto bread, toast, or crackers in a thin layer.
We need to buy some cheese spread and crackers for the party tonight.
[type] spread + for/noun
Amina spread a thick layer of chocolate spread on her toast for breakfast.
This dairy-free spread tastes just like real butter on fresh bread.
[modifier] spread
Olga spread a garlic-and-herb spread on slices of baguette before toasting them in the oven.
spread + [type] spread on [food]
- chocolate spread
- cheese spread
- dairy-free spread
- low-fat spread
- sandwich spread
Grammar Patterns
a spread for [bread/crackers]
Usage Note
Often used as a compound noun: 'chocolate spread', 'cheese spread', 'vegetable spread'. 'Low-fat spread' or 'dairy-free spread' are common in health contexts. Unlike 'butter' or 'jam', 'spread' is a general category term.
Common Mistakes
6. a large farm or stretch of land, typically in the western United States, where c
a large farm or stretch of land, typically in the western United States, where cattle or other livestock are raised.
Diego's family owns a five-thousand-acre spread in Texas where they raise cattle.
[size]-acre spread
The Nakamura family lives on a remote spread in Montana with no neighbours for miles.
The family bought a beautiful spread near the river to start their horse farm.
[adjective] spread
Deepa's uncle runs a large cattle spread in Wyoming that has been in the family for three generations.
cattle spread in [state]
- big spread
- cattle spread
- five-thousand-acre spread
- ranch spread
- family spread
Grammar Patterns
a [size] spread in [location]
Usage Note
Primarily used in American English, especially in the context of the western U.S. cattle industry. 'A big spread' can informally mean any large piece of rural property, not necessarily a working ranch.
7. A large meal that has many different dishes, often prepared for a celebration or
A large meal that has many different dishes, often prepared for a celebration or a special occasion such as a holiday, party, or family gathering.
For Lunar New Year, the Watanabe family prepared an enormous spread with dumplings, fish, and rice cakes.
collocation: enormous spread / huge spread / impressive spread
The hotel buffet offered an impressive spread of seafood, salads, and hot dishes from around the world.
Renata spent all morning cooking and was proud of the beautiful spread she laid out for her guests.
collocation: lay out a spread (prepare and present the meal)
Piotr brought a tray of homemade pierogies to add to the Christmas spread at his aunt's house.
- enormous spread
- huge spread
- generous spread
- impressive spread
- lay out a spread
- put on a spread
- snack
A small, light amount of food, opposite of a large abundant meal
Usage Note
This sense is used conversationally rather than in formal writing. Frequently modified by adjectives that express size or quality, such as 'huge', 'lovely', 'generous', or 'impressive'.
Common Mistakes
8. The amount by which two similar figures, especially prices, interest rates, or f
The amount by which two similar figures, especially prices, interest rates, or financial values, differ from each other.
The spread between the buying price and the selling price of that stock was only 15 cents.
collocation: spread between [A] and [B]
Mark compared the interest-rate spreads offered by three different banks before choosing his mortgage.
A narrow spread usually means the market is stable, while a wide spread can signal uncertainty.
collocation: narrow spread / wide spread
Padma asked her broker about the spread on the foreign currency she wanted to exchange.
- spread between
- bid-ask spread
- narrow spread
- wide spread
- interest-rate spread
- price spread
- gap
More general; can be used outside finance for any difference between values
- margin
Specifically the difference between cost and selling price in business
- difference
Neutral and widely used; less technical than 'spread'
- parity
A situation where two amounts are equal, the opposite of a spread
Usage Note
Common in financial contexts including banking, investing, currency exchange, and bond markets. The word 'spread' in this sense always refers to a gap between two numbers, never a single value.
Common Mistakes
9. A decorative piece of cloth used to cover a bed or a table, often chosen to matc
A decorative piece of cloth used to cover a bed or a table, often chosen to match a room's colours or style.
Esme bought a hand-stitched spread with blue flowers to cover the old wooden table in the kitchen.
concrete context: describing the pattern and placement
The cream-coloured bedspread in the guest room was made of thick soft cotton.
collocation: bedspread (most common compound form)
Wei washed the table spread after the dinner party because someone had spilled red wine on it.
Tamar chose a dark-green spread that matched the curtains and the rug in her bedroom.
- bedspread
- table spread
- cotton spread
- embroidered spread
- lace spread
- wash a spread
- bedspread
The most common specific term for a bed covering; 'spread' alone is slightly shorter but synonymous
- tablecloth
The standard word for a cloth covering a table; 'table spread' is less common
- coverlet
A lighter bed covering, usually decorative rather than warm
Usage Note
When referring to a bed covering, 'bedspread' is more common than 'spread' alone. 'Table spread' is less common; 'tablecloth' is the usual word for a table covering.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Spread, expand, extend, stretch, scatter, and diffuse all relate to covering more area, but differ in manner and scope. Spread emphasises outward movement from a centre until the thing covers a wide surface — a spilled liquid spreads, a rumour spreads, butter spreads on toast. Expand suggests growth in all dimensions, often from within: a company expands its business; a balloon expands with air. Extend implies reaching out in a line or direction: you extend your arm or extend a deadline. Stretch focuses on pulling something to its full length or beyond its usual size: you stretch a rubber band or stretch your legs after a long flight. Scatter means to throw or place separate items over an area with space between them, without the idea of a connected layer: you scatter seeds or scatter toys on the floor. Diffuse is more formal and describes something that spreads thinly and evenly through a substance or group, like a gas diffusing through a room or an idea diffusing through a culture. In daily use, spread is the broadest and most versatile of these six words.
Common collocations
Nouns
Phrases
- spread out
- spread thin
- spread the word
- spread like wildfire
- spread from person to person
- the spread of something
Etymology
The verb spread comes from Old English -sprǣdan (attested in the compound āsprǣdan 'to spread out'), from Proto-Germanic *spraidijaną, meaning 'to stretch out or expand'. It is related to Old High German spreiten, Dutch spreiden, and German spreiten (all meaning 'to spread, to strew'). The word has been in continuous use since before the 12th century, and the modern spelling 'spread' was established by the 1500s. The noun form (meaning 'extent, range, or something spread out') developed from the verb in the 16th century.
First known use
13th century
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a Noun