intersperse
gb/ˌɪntɚspˈɚs/ us/ˌɪntɚspˈɚs/
C1
English
elszór, vegyít, beiktat, tarkít
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
intersperse [things] (among/throughout [something])
The presenter interspersed short anecdotes throughout the talk to keep the audience engaged.
Az előadó rövid anekdotákat vegyített az előadásba, hogy fenntartsa a közönség figyelmét.
A few cafés are interspersed among the office buildings downtown.
A belvárosban az irodaházak között elszórva néhány kávézó is található.
The report intersperses data tables with brief explanations.
Learner examples
She interspersed questions throughout the lesson.
Az óra során kérdéseket iktatott be.
Small parks are interspersed among the apartments.
A lakóházak között kisebb parkok találhatók elszórva.
Common mistake:
Often used with a plural object; learners may overuse it where simpler words like "mix" or "add" fit better.
Meaning
scatter among other things
Collocations
intersperse examples throughout
|intersperse comments
|intersperse jokes
|intersperse facts
|intersperse trees among houses
|intersperse villages along the coast
|intersperse remarks
|intersperse short sections
|intersperse key points
|intersperse details
Synonyms
scatter (Emphasizes spreading in different places, often more randomly.)
|
sprinkle (Suggests adding small amounts here and there.)
|
dot (Often used for small items appearing in many spots.)
Antonyms
concentrate (Means to gather in one place rather than spread among others.)
|
segregate (Means to keep separate instead of mixing together.)
Themes
writing
|speech
|places
|nature
Definition
To put some things between other things in different places.
To place or distribute things at intervals among other things or over an area, so they are mixed in rather than grouped together.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
intersperse [something] with [something else]
The documentary intersperses expert interviews with archival footage.
A dokumentumfilm a szakértői interjúk közé archív felvételeket iktat be.
Try to intersperse intense workouts with lighter sessions.
Próbálj az intenzív edzések közé könnyebb alkalmakat beiktatni.
The novel intersperses the main story with letters from the past.
Learner examples
He interspersed the lecture with short quizzes.
Rövid kvízekkel tarkította az előadást.
Common mistake:
Do not use "intersperse" to mean "replace"; it means adding in between, not removing the original.
Meaning
break up with different items
Collocations
intersperse text with images
|intersperse chapters with photographs
|intersperse training with rest days
|intersperse the narrative with flashbacks
|intersperse lectures with activities
|intersperse discussion with demonstrations
|intersperse dialogue with description
|intersperse interviews with music
Synonyms
alternate (Suggests a more regular back-and-forth pattern.)
|
mix in (More informal; less emphasis on spacing or intervals.)
|
insert (Focuses on putting something in, without the sense of repeating intervals.)
Antonyms
remove (Opposite action: taking material out rather than adding it in between.)
|
keep separate (Avoids mixing or blending elements together.)
Themes
writing
|media
|education
Definition
To add different things in between parts of something.
To interrupt or vary something by inserting different items or passages at regular or occasional intervals.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intersperse
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɚspˈɚs/
US/ˌɪntɚspˈɚs/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - sperse (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: intersperse
- 3rd Person Singular: intersperses
- Present Participle: interspersing
- Past: interspersed
Word family
Expressions
be interspersed with
1/bˈi ˌɪntɚspˈɚst wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
formal
appear occasionally among something
To have some things between other things.
Examples
- The lecture was interspersed with audience questions.
- The highway is interspersed with small towns.
- The album is interspersed with short spoken-word tracks.
Learner examples
- The text is interspersed with photos.
intersperse [a] with [b]
1/ˌɪntɚspˈɚs ə wˈɪθ bˈi/
fixed phrase
formal
add B at intervals in A
To put B in between parts of A.
Examples
- She interspersed the explanation with practical examples.
- The editor interspersed the article with pull quotes and photos.
- We interspersed our road trip with short hikes.
Learner examples
- He interspersed his story with jokes.