What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
splay
Example
The cat splayed its paws out while napping. [splayed: verb]
Example
The chair legs splayed outwards, making it unstable. [splayed: past participle]
spread
Example
She spread the blanket on the grass for a picnic. [spread: verb]
Example
The virus spread rapidly throughout the community. [spread: past tense]
Example
The news of the concert spread quickly through social media. [spread: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spread is more commonly used than splay in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and is more versatile. Splay is a more specialized term that is used in specific contexts related to body parts or object arrangement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between splay and spread?
Both splay and spread can be used in formal or informal contexts, but splay may be considered more technical or specialized due to its limited usage compared to spread.
