spread
- 01 A2 Elementary
v.to open something out or move things so they cover a wider space.
v.to extend or stretch out over a larger area; can be used transitively with an object or intransitively to describe growth.
Simple“He spread the map out on the table so everyone could see the route.”
In context“The search party spread across the valley in a line, ensuring that no section of the dense underbrush remained unexamined.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to make news, ideas, or information known to many people.
v.to disseminate information, rumours, or ideas to a wider audience.
Simple“The news of the wedding spread quickly through the small village.”
In context“Social media allows misinformation to spread at an alarming rate before fact-checkers have the opportunity to intervene.”
Synonyms - 03 A2 Elementary
v.to put a thin layer of something soft, like butter or paint, onto a surface.
v.to apply a substance in a thin layer over a surface using pressure.
Simple“She spread some strawberry jam on her toast before eating breakfast.”
In context“The mason spread the mortar evenly along the row of bricks to ensure a level foundation for the next course.”
- 04 A2 Elementary
n.a soft food that you put on bread or crackers.
n.any food substance intended to be applied to bread or crackers with a knife.
Simple“He bought a jar of chocolate spread for the children's snacks.”
In context“The appetizer tray featured a variety of savory spreads, including hummus and a spicy roasted pepper dip.”
Synonymspastepâté - 05 B1 Intermediate
n.a very large and impressive meal laid out on a table.
n.an expansive or elaborate meal, typically presented for a special occasion.
Simple“There was a wonderful spread of food at the retirement party.”
In context“The hosts prepared a magnificent spread for the visiting delegates, showcasing the best of the local culinary traditions.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.an article or set of pictures that covers two facing pages in a magazine.
n.a set of articles or photographs occupying two facing pages or multiple columns in a publication.
Simple“The fashion magazine had a ten-page spread on summer dresses.”
In context“The photographer was thrilled to see her landscape series featured in a double-page spread in the Sunday supplement.”
- 07 C1 Advanced
n.the difference between two rates, prices, or scores.
n.the gap or difference between two figures, such as buy and sell prices or sports scores.
Simple“The bank makes money from the spread between interest rates.”
In context“Investors watched the yield spread closely, as a narrowing gap often signals a shift in market confidence.”
Synonyms - 08 C2 Proficiency
n.a meal made by prisoners using different ingredients they have available.
n.a meal improvised by inmates from various canteen items to supplement standard prison rations.
Simple“The inmates gathered in the cell to share a spread they had made.”
In context“Despite the limited resources, the group managed to assemble a surprisingly flavorful spread using ramen noodles and canned meats.”
Usage spread rapidly · spread of disease · widely spread
“Girls, in turn, spread the good word about him.”
“Its close relatives were previously known mostly from other continents, suggesting these ancient animals spread much farther across the Triassic world than scientists realized.”
From Middle English spreden, from Old English sprǣdan (“to spread, expand”), from Proto-Germanic spraidijaną (“to spread”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)per- (“to strew, sow, sprinkle”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian spreede (“to spread”), West Frisian spriede (“to spread”), North Frisian spriedjen (“to spread”), Dutch spreiden (“to spread”), Low German spreden (“to spread”), German spreiten (“to spread, spread out”), Danish sprede (“to spread”), Norwegian spre, spreie (“to spread, disseminate”), Swedish sprida (“to spread”), Latin spernō, spargō, Ancient Greek σπείρω (speírō), Persian سپردن (sepordan, “to deposit”), English spurn.
Blend of speed + read.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.