spread

About 45.23 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To stretch out, open out (a material etc.) so that it more fully covers a given area of space. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}

   He spread his newspaper on the table.

2. verb To extend (individual rays, limbs etc.); to stretch out in varying or opposing directions. simple past and past participle of spread

   I spread my arms wide and welcomed him home.

3. verb To disperse, to scatter or distribute over a given area.

   I spread the rice grains evenly over the floor.

4. verb To proliferate; to become more widely present, to be disseminated.
5. verb To disseminate; to cause to proliferate, to make (something) widely known or present.

   The missionaries quickly spread their new message across the country.

6. verb To take up a larger area or space; to expand, be extended.

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

7. verb To smear, to distribute in a thin layer.

   She liked to spread butter on her toast while it was still hot.

8. verb To cover (something) with a thin layer of some substance, as of butter.

   He always spreads his toast with peanut butter and strawberry jam.

Similar words

outspread spread out disseminate propagate overspread extended diffuse broadcast disperse scatter

Often followed by

of out over the to in through throughout and

Word family

spreadabilities spreadability spreadable spreading spreads