disperse
dih-SPURS
Disperse (verb) means to scatter or spread out in different directions. Example: “The crowd began to disperse once the concert ended.”
verb
1
To scatter or spread out in different directions.
"The crowd began to disperse once the concert ended."
"A gentle breeze dispersed the smoke within minutes."
2
To spread information or resources widely.
"Leaflets were dispersed throughout the neighborhood before the vote."
How to use disperse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo scatter or spread out, rather than stay grouped together.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "disburse" (to pay out money) — they sound alike but mean very different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
disperse a crowd
disperse quickly
widely dispersed
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- disperses
- Past tense
- dispersed
- Comparative
- more disperse
- Superlative
- most disperse
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The crowd began to _____ once the concert ended.
Etymology
From Latin dispergere, "to scatter about" — from dis- ("apart") + spargere ("to scatter"), the same root as "sparse".
Synonyms
View more →
besprenge
broadcast
desparple
discuss
disgregate
disparkle
disparple
dispel
disperple
dwindle
distribute
straggle
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for disperse
See all rhymes for disperse →Frequently asked questions
What does “disperse” mean?
The word “disperse” means to scatter or spread out in different directions. In plain terms, to scatter or spread out, rather than stay grouped together.
How do you pronounce “disperse”?
“Disperse” is pronounced dih-SPURS (/dɪˈspɝs/ in IPA).
How do you use “disperse” in a sentence?
Here is “disperse” used in a sentence: “The crowd began to disperse once the concert ended.”
What is another word for “disperse”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disperse” include besprenge, broadcast, desparple, discuss, disgregate and disparkle.
What is the opposite of “disperse”?
The opposite of “disperse” — its antonyms — are assemble, collect and round up.
What part of speech is “disperse”?
“Disperse” is a verb.
Where does the word “disperse” come from?
The word “disperse” comes from Latin. From Latin dispergere, "to scatter about" — from dis- ("apart") + spargere ("to scatter"), the same root as "sparse".
Is “disperse” a common word?
“Disperse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
