# dispersed

/dɪˈspɝst/ (US) · /dɪspˈɜːsd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dispersed
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to scatter or spread

verb · CEFR B2

to move apart and go in different directions, or to spread something out over a large area.

For teachers: to cause to separate and move in different directions; often used in the passive voice to describe the distribution of a group or substance.

- The crowd dispersed quickly once the rain started falling heavily.
- The police ordered the protesters to leave, and the group eventually dispersed into the surrounding side streets without further incident.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb when a crowd moves away, or transitively when an agent spreads something.

### 2. spread out

adjective · CEFR B2

spread over a wide area rather than being concentrated in one spot.

For teachers: distributed or spread over a wide area; not concentrated or clustered.

- The company has a very dispersed workforce, with employees living in ten different countries.
- The archaeological survey revealed a dispersed settlement pattern, suggesting that the ancient inhabitants lived in small, isolated farmsteads rather than a central village.

### 3. to break up a substance

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to break something up so it disappears or spreads into another substance, like smoke in the air.

For teachers: to cause a gas, liquid, or smoke to thin out and eventually vanish through spreading.

- The strong winds dispersed the thick fog by mid-morning.
- The chemical agent was designed to be dispersed as a fine mist, ensuring maximum coverage across the affected agricultural zone.

Usage: Commonly used in scientific contexts regarding particles, light, or chemicals.

## Examples

- The police ordered the crowd to dispersed after the event.
- The seeds are dispersed by the wind, allowing the plant to grow in many different parts of the field.
- Once the lecture concluded, the students dispersed into the surrounding streets, their lively conversations echoing through the narrow alleys as they headed toward various local cafés.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.