spread
gb/spɹˈɛd/ us/spɹˈɛd/
A2
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
extend over a surface or group
To move or make something move to cover a larger space or reach more people.
Usage pattern:
to spread [something] [over an area/among people]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'spread' with 'expand'; 'spread' is about covering more area or reaching more people, not necessarily increasing in size.
Synonyms
disperse (Implies scattering in many directions, often more randomly than 'spread'.)
Antonyms
contain (Means to keep something within limits, preventing it from spreading.)
Collocations
spread quickly
|spread rapidly
|spread widely
|spread across
|spread throughout
Themes
daily life
|communication
|movement
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The fire spread quickly through the forest.
- Rumors about the incident spread across the small town.
- The virus spread rapidly among the population.
Learner examples
- The news spread fast.
- The fire spread to the next house.
- The smell spread through the room.
Verb
A2
action
2
apply substance evenly
To put something like butter or paint over a surface in a thin layer.
Usage pattern:
to spread [substance] [on/over surface]
Common mistake:
Learners might incorrectly use 'put' instead of 'spread' when referring to covering an entire surface evenly.
Synonyms
smear (Usually implies a less even or messier application than 'spread'.)
Antonyms
remove (Means to take away the substance from the surface.)
Collocations
spread butter
|spread jam
|spread paint
Themes
daily life
|food
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She spread butter on the warm toast.
- Spread the paint evenly over the wall.
- He spread jam on his bread.
Learner examples
- I spread butter on my bread.
- She spreads jam on toast.
- He spreads cream on the cake.
Noun
B1
event
3
growth of coverage or influence
The act of moving over a bigger area or to more people.
Synonyms
expansion (Focuses more on growth in size or scope, not necessarily movement across an area.)
Antonyms
containment (The act of stopping something from moving further or affecting more people.)
Collocations
rapid spread
|widespread disease
|spread of information
Themes
daily life
|communication
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The rapid spread of the disease worried health officials.
- We need to stop the spread of false information online.
- The spread of technology has changed how we live.
Learner examples
- The spread of the fire was fast.
- We want to stop the spread of the virus.
- The spread of news was quick.
Noun
B1
entity
4
large variety of food served
A lot of different food put out for people to eat.
Synonyms
feast (Often suggests a celebratory meal with abundant food, can be more formal.)
Antonyms
snack (A small amount of food, opposite in scale to a large spread.)
Collocations
buffet spread
|delicious spread
|holiday spread
Themes
food
|hospitality
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- They prepared an amazing spread for the party.
- The wedding reception had a lavish spread of dishes.
- We enjoyed the holiday spread together.
Learner examples
- There was a big spread at the party.
- We had a nice spread for lunch.
- The hotel gave us a good breakfast spread.
Noun
A2
entity
5
soft food for bread/crackers
Soft food like butter or jam you put on bread.
Synonyms
paste (Refers to any soft mixture, not necessarily used as food for bread.)
Collocations
cream cheese spread
|peanut butter spread
Themes
food
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- I bought a new garlic cheese spread.
- This chocolate spread is very popular with kids.
- She served crackers with various spreads.
Learner examples
- I like peanut butter spread.
- This is my favorite cheese spread.
- We have jam and other spreads for breakfast.
Grammar
Dictionary form
spread
IPA
GB/spɹˈɛd/
US/spɹˈɛd/
Syllables & stress
spread (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (spread)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: spread
- Plural: spread, spreads
Verb
- Base: spread
- 3rd Person Singular: spreads
- Present Participle: spreading
- Past: spread
- Past Participle: spread
Word family
Forms
spreads
noun
spreading
verb
Core family
widespread
adjective B1
Related words
spreadable
adjective
spreader
noun
Highlights
- Irregular past: spread Verb
- Irregular past participle: spread Verb
Expressions
spread like wildfire
1/spɹˈɛd lˈaɪk wˈaɪldfˌaɪɚ/
idiom
become known very quickly
To move or become known very fast among many people.
Examples
- The rumor spread like wildfire through the school.
- News of their breakup spread like wildfire on social media.
spread like wildfire
1/spɹˈɛd lˈaɪk wˈaɪldfˌaɪɚ/
idiom
Spread very quickly
If something spreads like wildfire, many people hear about it or it reaches many places very fast.
Examples
- The news spread like wildfire after the video was posted.
- A stomach bug spread like wildfire through the school.
- Once the sale started, the discount code spread like wildfire.
spread out
1/spɹˈɛd ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
move into wider positions
To move so there is more space between people or things.
Examples
- The crowd began to spread out across the park.
- Spread out so everyone has room to work.
spread the word
1/spɹˈɛd ðə wˈɚd/
idiom
tell others about something
To tell other people information so they know about it too.
Examples
- Please spread the word about the charity event.
- We need to spread the word about this new service.
spread oneself too thin
1/spɹˈɛd wˌʌnsˈɛlf tˈu θˈɪn/
idiom
do too many things at once poorly
To have too many things to do and not enough time or energy to do them well.
Examples
- She’s spreading herself too thin by joining so many clubs.
- If you take on too many projects, you'll spread yourself too thin.
- Don’t spread yourself too thin or you’ll burn out.
- She's spreading herself too thin by working two jobs and studying full-time.
spread your wings
1/spɹˈɛd jˈʊɹ wˈɪŋz/
idiom
start doing new independent activities
To begin doing new and different things by yourself with confidence.
Examples
- After college, he decided to spread his wings and move abroad.
- It’s time for you to spread your wings and explore new opportunities.
spread your wings
2/spɹˈɛd jˈʊɹ wˈɪŋz/
idiom
Become independent and confident
To try new things and live more freely and independently.
Examples
- After college, she spread her wings and moved abroad.
- It's time for you to spread your wings and explore.