Added 4 October 2026
spread
/spɹɛd/ verb
In Latin: sternō, pandō Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about spread at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
To stretch out, open out (a material etc.) so that it more fully covers a given area of space. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
He spread his newspaper on the table.
-
To extend (individual rays, limbs etc.); to stretch out in varying or opposing directions. simple past and past participle of spread
I spread my arms wide and welcomed him home.
-
To disperse, to scatter or distribute over a given area.
I spread the rice grains evenly over the floor.
noun
verb
noun
Origin
From Middle English spreden, from Old English sprǣdan (“to spread, expand”), from Proto-Germanic *spraidijaną (“to spread”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)per- (“to strew, sow, sprinkle”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian spreede (“to spread”), West Frisian spriede (“to spread”), North Frisian spriedjen (“to spread”), Dutch spreiden (“to spread”), Low German spreden (“to spread”), German spreiten (“to spread, spread out”), Danish sprede (“to spread”), Norwegian spre, spreie (“to spread, disseminate”), Swedish sprida (“to spread”), Latin spernō, spargō, Ancient Greek σπείρω (speírō), Persian سپردن (sepordan, “to deposit”). Doublet of spurn.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)