Spread

Quick meaning: Spread is a verb meaning (transitive) To stretch out, open out (a material etc.) so that it more fully covers a given area of space.

Meaning

(transitive) To stretch out, open out (a material etc.) so that it more fully covers a given area of space.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To disperse, to scatter or distribute over a given area.
2. (intransitive) To proliferate; to become more widely present, to be disseminated.
3. (transitive) To disseminate; to cause to proliferate, to make (something) widely known or present.
4. (intransitive) To take up a larger area or space; to expand, be extended.
5. (transitive) To smear, to distribute in a thin layer.
6. (transitive) To cover (something) with a thin layer of some substance, as of butter.
7. (transitive) To extend (individual rays, limbs etc.); to stretch out in varying or opposing directions. simple past and past participle of spread

Example Sentences

He spread his newspaper on the table.

I spread my arms wide and welcomed him home.

I spread the rice grains evenly over the floor.

I dropped my glass; the water spread quickly over the tiled floor.

Word Forms

• spreads
• spreading

Synonyms for spread

Depending on context, synonyms include disseminate, circulate, propagate, diffuse, straddle, sow.

Antonyms for spread

Common opposites include fold, gather, collect, turn up, fold up, garner.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include outspread, disseminate, propagate, overspread, extended, diffuse.

Related Dictionary Tools