# diffuse

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈfjuːz/ · frequency rank #20,095

## Definitions
1. To spread (something) over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.
2. To be spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.

## Etymology
From Middle French diffuser, from Latin diffūsus, past participle of diffundere, from dis- + fundere.

## Easily confused with
- **disuse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/diffuse-vs-disuse)
- **diffuser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/diffuse-vs-diffuser)
- **defuse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defuse-vs-diffuse)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ddiffuse`, `dfifuse`, `diffsue`, `diffues`, `diffusse`, `difufse`, `difuse`, `idffuse`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/diffuse