Broad vs. Spread — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 4, 2024
Broad refers to something wide or extensive in scope, whereas spread denotes the act of distributing or extending over a wide area.
Difference Between Broad and Spread
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Broad typically describes the width or extent of an object or concept, suggesting a large expanse. On the other hand, spread is used to describe the action or process of scattering or dispersing something across a surface or area.
Broad can be applied to abstract concepts, like understanding or scope, indicating vastness or inclusiveness. Conversely, spread often involves physical distribution, such as seeds scattered over the ground or butter spread on bread.
In terms of usage, broad is often used as an adjective to describe dimensions or the encompassing nature of something. Whereas, spread can function as both a verb and a noun, depending on whether it refers to the action of spreading or the extent to which something has been spread.
When referring to geographic or spatial terms, broad might describe a wide street or a broad landscape. In contrast, spread could describe how a city spreads out into the countryside or how a disease spreads through a population.
Broad is also used in figurative language to indicate a wide range of options or diversity, such as broad interests. Spread, however, might be used to describe the extent of an epidemic's reach or the dissemination of information across different media.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Verb, Noun
Usage in Sentences
Describes width or extensive scope
Describes distribution or extension
Contexts
Physical dimensions, abstract concepts
Physical action, distribution extents
Common Collocations
Broad spectrum, broad shoulders
Spread out, spread evenly
Example Usage
A broad understanding of the subject.
The news spread quickly through town.
Compare with Definitions
Broad
Not limited to one area or scope.
She has broad interests in both arts and sciences.
Spread
To become widely known or prevalent.
Rumors began to spread quickly.
Broad
Including a wide variety of people or things.
The festival attracted a broad audience.
Spread
To extend over a large area.
The city has spread along the coastline.
Broad
Physically wide.
He was a tall man with broad shoulders.
Spread
To arrange or display over an area.
She spread the documents out on the table for review.
Broad
General and without detail.
He gave a broad overview of the company's direction.
Spread
The extent of an area covered by something.
The spread of the forest can be seen from the mountain top.
Broad
Wide in extent from side to side
A broad river.
Broad shoulders.
Spread
To distribute something evenly.
Spread the butter evenly over the toast.
Broad
Large in expanse; spacious
A broad lawn.
Spread
Open out (something) so as to extend its surface area, width, or length
She helped Colin to spread out the map
I spread a towel on the sand and sat down
Broad
Having a certain width from side to side
A sidewalk three feet broad.
Spread
Extend over a large or increasing area
Rain over north-west Scotland will spread south-east during the day
Broad
Full; open
Broad daylight.
Spread
Apply (a substance) to an object or surface in an even layer
He sighed, spreading jam on a croissant
Broad
Covering a wide scope; general
A broad rule.
Spread
Lay (a table) for a meal.
Broad
Liberal; tolerant
Had broad views regarding social services.
Spread
The fact or process of spreading over an area
The spread of the urban population into rural areas
Warmer temperatures could help reduce the spread of the disease
Broad
Relating to or covering the main facts or the essential points
A plan presented in broad outline.
Spread
The extent, width, or area covered by something
The male's antlers can attain a spread of six feet
Broad
Plain and clear; obvious
Gave us a broad hint to leave.
Spread
The range or variety of something
A wide spread of ages
Broad
Vulgar; ribald
A broad joke.
Spread
A soft paste that can be applied in a layer to bread or other food
Cheese spread
Low-fat spreads
Broad
Strikingly regional or dialectal
A broad Southern accent.
Spread
An article or advertisement covering several columns or pages of a newspaper or magazine, especially one on two facing pages
A double-page spread
Broad
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the tongue placed low and flat and with the oral cavity wide open, like the a in father.
Spread
A large and impressively elaborate meal
His mother laid on a huge spread
Broad
A wide flat part, as of one's hand.
Spread
A bedspread
A patchwork spread
Broad
Offensive Slang A woman or girl.
Spread
To open to a fuller extent or width; stretch
Spread out the tablecloth.
A bird spreading its wings.
Broad
Fully; completely.
Spread
To make wider the gap between; move farther apart
Spread her fingers.
Broad
Wide in extent or scope.
Three feet broad
The broad expanse of ocean
Spread
To distribute over a surface in a layer
Spread varnish on the steps.
Broad
Extended, in the sense of diffused; open; clear; full.
Spread
To cover with a layer
Spread a cracker with butter.
Broad
Having a large measure of any thing or quality; unlimited; unrestrained.
Spread
To distribute widely
The tornado spread destruction.
Broad
Comprehensive; liberal; enlarged.
Spread
To make a wide or extensive arrangement of
We spread the bicycle parts out on the floor.
Broad
Plain; evident.
A broad hint
Spread
To exhibit or display the full extent of
The scene that was spread before us.
Broad
General rather than specific.
To be in broad agreement
Spread
To cause to become widely seen or known; scatter or disseminate
Spread the news.
Spread the beam of the flashlight.
Broad
(writing) Unsubtle; obvious.
Spread
To prepare (a table) for eating; set.
Broad
Free; unrestrained; unconfined.
Spread
To arrange (food or a meal) on a table.
Broad
(dated) Gross; coarse; indelicate.
A broad compliment; a broad joke; broad humour
Spread
To flatten (a rivet end, for example) by pounding.
Broad
(of an accent) Strongly regional.
She still has a broad Scottish accent, despite moving to California 20 years ago.
Spread
To be extended or enlarged
The farm fields spread to the horizon.
Broad
(Gaelic languages) Velarized, i.e. not palatalized.
Spread
To move over an area, be distributed, or be widely dispersed
The troops spread out across the field. The volcano's ash spread over the continent.
Broad
(UK) A shallow lake, one of a number of bodies of water in eastern Norfolk and Suffolk.
Spread
To become known or prevalent over a wide area
The word spread fast.
Broad
A lathe tool for turning down the insides and bottoms of cylinders.
Spread
To be exhibited, displayed, or visible in broad or full extent
The vista spread seemingly to infinity.
Broad
A British gold coin worth 20 shillings, issued by the Commonwealth of England in 1656.
Spread
To become or admit of being distributed in a layer
This paint spreads really well.
Broad
A kind of floodlight.
Spread
To become separated; be forced farther apart
The land masses spread until there was an ocean between them.
Broad
A playing card.
Spread
The act or process of spreading
The spread of disease.
Broad
(dated) A prostitute, a woman of loose morals.
Spread
Dissemination, as of news; diffusion.
Broad
A woman or girl.
Spread
An open area of land; an expanse.
Broad
Wide; extend in breadth, or from side to side; - opposed to narrow; as, a broad street, a broad table; an inch broad.
Spread
A ranch, farm, or estate.
Broad
Extending far and wide; extensive; vast; as, the broad expanse of ocean.
Spread
The extent or limit to which something is or can be spread
The tree's canopy has a spread of 50 feet.
Broad
Extended, in the sense of diffused; open; clear; full.
Spread
A cloth covering for a bed, table, or other piece of furniture.
Broad
Fig.: Having a large measure of any thing or quality; not limited; not restrained; - applied to any subject, and retaining the literal idea more or less clearly, the precise meaning depending largely on the substantive.
A broad mixture of falsehood.
Spread
(Informal) An abundant meal laid out on a table.
Broad
Comprehensive; liberal; enlarged.
The words in the Constitution are broad enough to include the case.
In a broad, statesmanlike, and masterly way.
Spread
A food to be spread on bread or crackers.
Broad
Plain; evident; as, a broad hint.
Spread
Two facing pages of a magazine, newspaper, or book, considered as a unit.
Broad
Free; unrestrained; unconfined.
As broad and general as the casing air.
Spread
An article or advertisement running across two or more columns of a newspaper or magazine.
Broad
Characterized by breadth. See Breadth.
Spread
A difference, as between two figures or totals
What's the spread between tallest and shortest?.
Broad
Cross; coarse; indelicate; as, a broad compliment; a broad joke; broad humor.
Spread
A position taken in two or more options or futures contracts in order to profit from a change in their relative prices.
Broad
Strongly marked; as, a broad Scotch accent.
It is as broad as long, whether they rise to others, or bring others down to them.
Spread
The difference between the price asked and bid for a particular security.
Broad
The broad part of anything; as, the broad of an oar.
Spread
The difference in yields between two fixed-income securities, as between short-term and long-term bonds.
Broad
The spread of a river into a sheet of water; a flooded fen.
Spread
A number of points offered to equalize the chances of winning in a wager on a competition, usually between sports teams. Also called point spread.
Broad
A lathe tool for turning down the insides and bottoms of cylinders.
Spread
Wingspread.
Broad
Slang term for a woman;
A broad is a woman who can throw a mean punch
Spread
(transitive) To stretch out, open out (a material etc.) so that it more fully covers a given area of space.
He spread his newspaper on the table.
Broad
Having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other;
Wide roads
A wide necktie
Wide margins
Three feet wide
A river two miles broad
Broad shoulders
A broad river
Spread
(transitive) To extend (individual rays, limbs etc.); to stretch out in varying or opposing directions.
I spread my arms wide and welcomed him home.
Broad
Broad in scope or content;
Across-the-board pay increases
An all-embracing definition
Blanket sanctions against human-rights violators
An invention with broad applications
A panoptic study of Soviet nationality
Granted him wide powers
Spread
(transitive) To disperse, to scatter or distribute over a given area.
I spread the rice grains evenly over the floor.
Broad
Not detailed or specific;
A broad rule
The broad outlines of the plan
Felt an unspecific dread
Spread
(intransitive) To proliferate; to become more widely present, to be disseminated.
Broad
Lacking subtlety; obvious;
Gave us a broad hint that it was time to leave
Spread
(transitive) To disseminate; to cause to proliferate, to make (something) widely known or present.
The missionaries quickly spread their new message across the country.
Broad
Being at a peak or culminating point;
Broad day
Full summer
High noon
Spread
(intransitive) To take up a larger area or space; to expand, be extended.
I dropped my glass; the water spread quickly over the tiled floor.
Broad
Very large in expanse or scope;
A broad lawn
The wide plains
A spacious view
Spacious skies
Spread
(transitive) To smear, to distribute in a thin layer.
She liked to spread butter on her toast while it was still hot.
Broad
(of speech) heavily and noticeably regional;
A broad southern accent
Spread
(transitive) To cover (something) with a thin layer of some substance, as of butter.
He always spreads his toast with peanut butter and strawberry jam.
Broad
Showing or characterized by broad-mindedness;
A broad political stance
Generous and broad sympathies
A liberal newspaper
Tolerant of his opponent's opinions
Spread
To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions.
To spread a table
Spread
The act of spreading.
Spread
Something that has been spread.
Spread
(cartomancy) A layout, pattern or design of cards arranged for a reading.
Spread
An expanse of land.
Spread
A large tract of land used to raise livestock; a cattle ranch.
Spread
A piece of material used as a cover (such as a bedspread).
Spread
A large meal, especially one laid out on a table.
Spread
(bread, etc.) Any form of food designed to be spread, such as butters or jams.
Spread
(military) A set of multiple torpedoes launched on side-by-side, slowly-diverging paths toward one or more enemy ships.
Spread
Improvised by inmates from various ingredients to relieve the tedium of prison food.
Spread
An item in a newspaper or magazine that occupies more than one column or page.
Spread
Two facing pages in a book, newspaper etc.
Spread
A numerical difference.
Spread
The difference between the wholesale and retail prices.
Spread
The difference between the price of a futures month and the price of another month of the same commodity.
Spread
The purchase of a futures contract of one delivery month against the sale of another futures delivery month of the same commodity.
Spread
The purchase of one delivery month of one commodity against the sale of that same delivery month of a different commodity.
Spread
(trading) An arbitrage transaction of the same commodity in two markets, executed to take advantage of a profit from price discrepancies.
Spread
(trading) The difference between bidding and asking price.
Spread
(finance) The difference between the prices of two similar items.
Spread
(geometry) An unlimited expanse of discontinuous points.
Spread
The surface in proportion to the depth of a cut gemstone.
Spread
Excessive width of the trails of ink written on overly absorbent paper.
Spread
To extend in length and breadth, or in breadth only; to stretch or expand to a broad or broader surface or extent; to open; to unfurl; as, to spread a carpet; to spread a tent or a sail.
He bought a parcel of a field where he had spread his tent.
Here the RhoneHath spread himself a couch.
Spread
To extend so as to cover something; to extend to a great or greater extent in every direction; to cause to fill or cover a wide or wider space.
Rose, as in a dance, the stately trees, and spreadTheir branches hung with copious fruit.
Spread
To divulge; to publish, as news or fame; to cause to be more extensively known; to disseminate; to make known fully; as, to spread a report; - often accompanied by abroad.
They, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
Spread
To propagate; to cause to affect great numbers; as, to spread a disease.
Spread
To diffuse, as emanations or effluvia; to emit; as, odoriferous plants spread their fragrance.
Spread
To strew; to scatter over a surface; as, to spread manure; to spread lime on the ground.
Spread
To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as, to spread a table.
Boiled the flesh, and spread the board.
Spread
To extend in length and breadth in all directions, or in breadth only; to be extended or stretched; to expand.
Plants, if they spread much, are seldom tall.
Governor Winthrop, and his associates at Charlestown, had for a church a large, spreading tree.
Spread
To be extended by drawing or beating; as, some metals spread with difficulty.
Spread
To be made known more extensively, as news.
Spread
To be propagated from one to another; as, the disease spread into all parts of the city.
Spread
Extent; compass.
I have got a fine spread of improvable land.
Spread
Expansion of parts.
No flower hath spread like that of the woodbine.
Spread
A cloth used as a cover for a table or a bed.
Spread
A table, as spread or furnished with a meal; hence, an entertainment of food; a feast.
Spread
A privilege which one person buys of another, of demanding certain shares of stock at a certain price, or of delivering the same shares of stock at another price, within a time agreed upon.
Spread
An unlimited expanse of discontinuous points.
Spread
An arbitrage transaction operated by buying and selling simultaneously in two separate markets, as Chicago and New York, when there is an abnormal difference in price between the two markets. It is called a back spreadwhen the difference in price is less than the normal one.
Spread
Surface in proportion to the depth of a cut stone.
Spread
Process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
Spread
A conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures;
Gap between income and outgo
The spread between lending and borrowing costs
Spread
Farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
Spread
A haphazard distribution in all directions
Spread
A tasty mixture to be spread on bread or crackers
Spread
A meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed;
A banquet for the graduating seniors
The Thanksgiving feast
They put out quite a spread
Spread
Two facing pages of a book or other publication
Spread
The expansion of a person's girth (especially at middle age);
She exercised to avoid that middle-aged spread
Spread
Decorative cover for a bed
Spread
Act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
Spread
Distribute or disperse widely;
The invaders spread their language all over the country
Spread
Become distributed or widespread;
The infection spread
Optimism spread among the population
Spread
Spread across or over;
A big oil spot spread across the water
Spread
Spread out or open from a closed or folded state;
Open the map
Spread your arms
Spread
Cause to become widely known;
Spread information
Circulate a rumor
Broadcast the news
Spread
Become widely known and passed on;
The rumor spread
The story went around in the office
Spread
Strew or distribute over an area;
He spread fertilizer over the lawn
Scatter cards across the table
Spread
Move outward;
The soldiers fanned out
Spread
Cover by spreading something over;
Spread the bread with cheese
Spread
Distribute over a surface in a layer;
Spread cheese on a piece of bread
Spread
Distributed or spread over a considerable extent;
Has ties with many widely dispersed friends
Eleven million Jews are spread throughout Europe
Spread
Prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out;
A table spread with food
Spread
Fully extended in width;
Outspread wings
With arms spread wide
Common Curiosities
How do "broad" and "spread" differ in usage?
Broad is primarily an adjective describing dimensions or scope, while spread can be a verb or noun related to distribution.
What are common contexts for using "spread"?
Spread is commonly used in contexts involving the distribution of items or information.
What does "broad" imply in general terms?
Broad generally implies wide or extensive in scope or size.
Is "broad" ever used figuratively?
Yes, broad is often used figuratively to suggest comprehensive or wide-ranging qualities.
How does "spread" relate to social media?
Spread is commonly used to describe how content is shared or goes viral across social media platforms.
Is "broad" used in scientific contexts?
Yes, broad is used to describe general categories or wide-ranging effects in scientific contexts.
Can "spread" be used as a noun?
Yes, spread can be a noun, referring to the extent or range something covers.
Can "spread" indicate rapid movement?
Yes, in contexts like disease or information dissemination, spread implies rapid expansion or movement.
What is the difference between "broad" and "wide"?
Broad and wide are often synonymous when referring to physical width, but broad has additional abstract meanings.
What does a "broad spectrum" mean?
A broad spectrum refers to a range that covers wide and varied parts or elements.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
