Definition

1. Verb:

   • To open, arrange, or distribute over an area: To move parts (like arms or wings) away from each other, or to cause something to cover a surface or area.
   • To apply a layer: To put a soft substance (like butter, jam, or paint) onto a surface in a thin, even layer.
   • To become or make widely known or present: To move, communicate, or distribute something so that it reaches or affects many people or a large area.
   • To extend over time: To arrange for something (like payments or work) to happen over a longer period.

2. Noun:

   • The act or process of extending: The increase in the area, range, or influence of something.
   • A soft food for applying: A soft food, like butter or cheese, that is meant to be spread on bread or crackers.
   • A large or elaborate meal: A large meal with many different dishes, often for a special occasion.
   • A decorative cover: A cloth cover for a piece of furniture, especially a bed.
   • A printed feature across pages: Two facing pages in a newspaper or magazine that are designed as a single unit, often for a large advertisement or story.
   • A difference between amounts: The difference between two related figures, such as prices or rates.

3. Adjective:

   • Extended or distributed: Fully extended in width or distributed over a wide area.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • She spread the map on the table to plan the route. (To open over an area)
  • Please spread butter evenly on the toast. (To apply a layer)
  • The fire spread quickly through the dry forest. (To become widely present)
  • He spread the loan payments over five years. (To extend over time)

• Noun:

  • The rapid spread of the virus caused global concern. (The process of extending)
  • This cheese spread is delicious on crackers. (A soft food for applying)
  • They put out an incredible spread for the holiday dinner. (A large meal)
  • The magazine featured a beautiful photo spread of the mountains. (A printed feature across pages)
  • The spread between the bank's lending and deposit rates is its profit margin. (A difference between amounts)

• Adjective:

  • The eagle soared on spread wings. (Extended in width)
  • The news is now spread throughout the community. (Distributed over an area)

Advanced Usage

• "Spread oneself too thin": To try to do too many things at once, so that you cannot do any of them well.

  • By joining three committees, he spread himself too thin and his work suffered.

• "Spread the word": To tell people about something; to publicize.

  • We need to spread the word about the charity event.

• "Spread like wildfire": To become known or to happen very quickly.

  • The gossip about their engagement spread like wildfire.

Variants and Related Words

• Outspread (adj/verb): Spread out to the fullest extent. ()
• Widespread (adj): Found or distributed over a large area or number of people. (Widespread damage.)
• Spreader (n): A tool for spreading something (e.g., a fertilizer spreader).

Synonyms

• Verb: Extend, unfold, scatter, disperse, circulate, propagate, disseminate, apply, smear.
• Noun: Expansion, dispersal, diffusion, proliferation, feast, banquet, cover, difference, gap.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Spread out:

  • To open or stretch something fully. He spread out the blanket on the grass.
  • To move apart from a central point. The crowd spread out after the concert.
  • To extend over time. The project will be spread out over several months.

• Spread over:

  • To cover a surface. Jam was spread over the bread.
  • To extend across a period of time. The payments are spread over two years.

Related Idioms

• A bedspread: A decorative cover for a bed.
• Middle-age spread: The tendency for people to gain weight, especially around the waist, as they reach middle age.

Adjective

1. fully extended in width
   • outspread wings
   • with arms spread wide
2. prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out
   • a table spread with food
3. distributed or spread over a considerable extent
   • has ties with many widely dispersed friends
   • eleven million Jews are spread throughout Europe

Noun

1. act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
2. decorative cover for a bed
3. the expansion of a person's girth (especially at middle age)
   • she exercised to avoid that middle-aged spread
4. two facing pages of a book or other publication
5. a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed
   • a banquet for the graduating seniors
   • the Thanksgiving feast
   • they put out quite a spread
6. a tasty mixture to be spread on bread or crackers or used in preparing other dishes
7. a haphazard distribution in all directions
8. farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
9. a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
   • gap between income and outgo
   • the spread between lending and borrowing costs
10. process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space

Verb

1. distribute over a surface in a layer
   • spread cheese on a piece of bread
2. cover by spreading something over
   • spread the bread with cheese
3. move outward
   • The soldiers fanned out
4. strew or distribute over an area
   • He spread fertilizer over the lawn
   • scatter cards across the table
5. become widely known and passed on
   • the rumor spread
   • the story went around in the office
6. cause to become widely known
   • spread information
   • circulate a rumor
   • broadcast the news
7. spread out or open from a closed or folded state
   • open the map
   • spread your arms
8. spread across or over
   • A big oil spot spread across the water
9. become distributed or widespread
   • the infection spread
   • Optimism spread among the population
10. distribute or disperse widely
    • The invaders spread their language all over the country