Diffuse | Let's Spread This SAT Word Everywhere
DIFFUSE sounds a lot like DEFUSE; be careful not to confuse them. See the end for more information.
I took a lot of photography classes in college, so one of the first things I think of when I hear the word diffuse is diffused light.
In photography, to diffuse light means to spread it out so that it doesn’t hit the subject harshly. Instead of a single, intense beam, the light is softened and distributed more evenly across the image.
For example, if you’re using a flash and don’t want that bright burst going straight into someone’s face, you can attach a diffuser to the front of the flash bulb. The diffuser scatters the light, making it feel more natural — closer to the way sunlight fills a room rather than spotlighting one spot.
More generally, diffuse just means to spread out widely. A classic example is adding a drop of food coloring to a glass of water. Over time, the color slowly spreads throughout the water until the entire glass is tinted.
Whether we’re talking about light, color, or even ideas, something that is diffuse isn’t concentrated in one place; it’s dispersed throughout.
📚️ Definition of Diffuse
Diffuse (verb): To spread out widely in all directions, or to scatter and disperse something so it becomes less concentrated. Example: the aroma of the freshly-baked cookies diffused throughout.
🗣️ Pronunciation of Diffuse
IPA: /dɪˈfjuːz/ (See IPA key)
Respelling: dih-FYOOZ
📰 Examples of Diffuse
Here are some examples of the word diffuse:
The morning sun diffused through the frosted window, creating a soft glow inside.
In osmosis, water molecules diffuse across a semipermeable membrane from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.
For paid subscribers, I offer a custom image to help remember the word. You can see myriad examples of the graphics I make to illustrate the words in the archives.
