What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
diffuse
Example
The light from the lamp was diffuse and soft. [diffuse: adjective]
Example
The speaker's message was diffuse and lacked clarity. [diffuse: adjective]
disperse
Example
The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. [disperse: verb]
Example
The clouds began to disperse, revealing a clear blue sky. [disperse: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disperse is more commonly used than diffuse in everyday language. Disperse is a versatile word that can be used in many contexts, while diffuse is less common and tends to be used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between diffuse and disperse?
Diffuse is generally considered more formal than disperse. It is often used in academic or technical writing, while disperse is more commonly used in informal contexts.
