What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
radiate
Example
The sun radiates warmth and light. [radiates: verb]
Example
She radiated joy and happiness at her wedding. [radiated: past tense]
Example
The heat radiated from the fireplace, warming the entire room. [radiated: past participle]
spread
Example
The butter spread easily on the toast. [spread: verb]
Example
The virus spread rapidly throughout the city. [spread: past tense]
Example
The news of the celebrity's death spread quickly on social media. [spread: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spread is more commonly used than radiate in everyday language. Spread is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while radiate is less common and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between radiate and spread?
While radiate is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, spread is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
