spread
distribute or disperse widely
How often you will meet it
Rank 1,219 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 14,929 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.007% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- distribute or disperse widely also: distribute The invaders spread their language all over the country
- become distributed or widespread also: propagate the infection spreadOptimism spread among the population
- spread across or over also: overspread A big oil spot spread across the water
- spread out or open from a closed or folded state also: unfold, spread out, open open the mapspread your arms
- cause to become widely known also: circulate, circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate, propagate spread informationcirculate a rumor
- become widely known and passed on also: go around, circulate the rumor spreadthe story went around in the office
spread in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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For an instant a hush spread over the people.
The Red Record Tabulated Statistics · Ida B. Wells-Barnett · Chapter 1
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He spread his feet apart and surveyed the scene.
The Riverman · Stewart Edward White · Chapter 1
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Like the rising tide, the Prussians spread and advanced, slowly, but steadily.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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She led the way round the house to where tea was spread under the shade of a large sycamore.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles · Agatha Christie · Chapter 1
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But all under the window spread a tree, with great leaves and sweet white flowers, almost as big as his head.
The Water-Babies · Charles Kingsley · Chapter 1