# interspersed

/ˌɪntɝˈspɝst/ (US) · /ˌɪntəspˈɜːsd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/interspersed
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

placed or scattered at intervals among other things. You use it to describe something that is mixed in here and there rather than being all in one spot.

For teachers: distributed at intervals or scattered among other items. Often used as a participial adjective to describe a pattern of distribution within a larger set.

## Examples

- The book has short poems interspersed with colorful drawings.
- The long, technical presentation was interspersed with brief breaks to keep the audience engaged.
- The ancient forest consists primarily of oak trees, interspersed with occasional clusters of silver birch that thrive in the sunnier clearings.

## Pitfalls

- Not "interspersed between" but "interspersed with" — While 'between' is used for two distinct points, 'with' is the standard preposition used to describe the items mixed into the main group.

## Usage notes

- Often follows a linking verb or is used in the passive construction 'be interspersed with'.

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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.