C2verbformalscience
US/dɪˈfjuːz/
UK/dɪˈfjuːz/
to spread through a wide area, or to make a tense situation calmer
In context
Oxygen diffuses from the lungs into the blood.
A thin curtain will diffuse the strong afternoon light.
The manager made a joke to diffuse the tension in the meeting.
Words that go with diffuse
verb + preposition
- diffuse throughThe smell of coffee diffused through the whole house.
- diffuse intoThe dye slowly diffuses into the water.
verb + noun
- diffuse tensionLeaders met in private to diffuse tension between the two sides.
- diffuse lightFrosted glass is used to diffuse light evenly.
adverb + adjective
- widely diffusedThe idea became widely diffused across the region.