What is spread? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "spread" in English. It's a hugely versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. To Extend or Cover a Surface:

• Meaning: To extend out or cover an area.
• Examples:
  • "The blanket spread across the floor." (covering)
  • "The river spread out into a wide delta." (extending)
  • "He spread the map on the table." (laying out)

2. To Disperse or Distribute:

• Meaning: To scatter or distribute something, often things like seeds, liquid, or information.
• Examples:
  • "She spread seeds in the garden." (scattering)
  • "The perfume spread through the room." (dispersing)
  • "Rumors spread quickly through the school." (distributing information)
  • "He spread the word about the event." (telling people about it)

3. To Infect (with a disease):

• Meaning: To cause a disease to spread.
• Examples:
  • “The virus spread rapidly across the country.”
  • “The doctor warned us to spread sanitary measures”

4. To Communicate or Reveal (a story, information, etc.):

• Meaning: To tell a story or reveal information.
• Examples:
  • "He spread the story about his accident." (told the story)
  • "She spread the news of her engagement." (revealed the news)
  • "Let's spread the truth about this situation." (communicate the truth)

5. To Become Wide-Spreading (as a feeling or opinion):

• Meaning: To become popular or widespread, often a feeling or belief.
• Examples:
  • "The idea of working from home spread quickly."
  • "Concern about climate change is spreading among the public."
  • “The news of the victory spread through the team.”

6. (Of a stain) To Extend:

• Meaning: To extend outward, like a stain.
• Example:
  • “The mud spread across my shoes.”

7. (Verbs - phrasal verbs) – These combine ‘spread’ with a preposition or adverb.

• Spread out: To extend over a wide area; to unpack.

  • "We spread out the picnic blanket."
  • "The coastline spreads out for miles."

• Spread around: To distribute something to many people.

  • "The chef spread around the appetizers."

• Spread over: To cover a surface.

  • "The rain spread over the park.”

• Spread through: To move through something.

  • “The rumor spread through the building.”

8. (As a Verb - generally used with ‘get’ or ‘become’):

• Meaning: To become widespread.
• Examples:
  • “The news spread like wildfire.” (meaning it spread very quickly)
  • "The rumor spread quickly."

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Tips for Using "Spread" Correctly:

• Context is key: The meaning of "spread" depends heavily on the context. Pay attention to the words around it.
• Consider the object: What is being spread? (e.g., seeds, information, a stain)
• Think about the movement: Is it a physical spread (like a stain) or a more abstract spread (like an idea)?

Resources for Further Learning:

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spread
• Cambridge Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/spread

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

• What are you trying to use "spread" in a sentence for? (e.g., Are you writing a story, answering a question, etc.?)
• Can you give me an example sentence you’re working on?