1
Scatter a crowd
Cause gathered people to move apart.
Example
The crowd dispersed after the announcement.
disperse
/dɪˈspɜːs/ · dih-SPURSverb
To scatter or spread in different directions.
Use disperse when a crowd, particles, organisms, or information move outward from a concentration.
What disperse Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Spread particles
Distribute matter through a larger space.
Example
Wind dispersed the seeds across the valley.
3
Separate a population
Move organisms or people away from a central location.
Example
Young animals disperse when they reach maturity.
Use disperse Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The crowd dispersed after the announcement.
Wind dispersed the seeds across the valley.
Young animals disperse when they reach maturity.
Precision Matters
Disperse overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
disperse
vs.Moves elements apart.
coalesce
Brings elements together.
disperse
vs.Spreads from a concentration.
migration
Moves between regions along a route.
disperse
vs.Describes the act of spreading.
pervasive
Describes being widespread.
disperse
vs.Scatters outward.
engulf
Surrounds completely.
Test disperse in Context
The seeds scatter outward in different directions.
1
When the fruit opens, wind helps to ___ its lightweight seeds across a broad area.