Scattering: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to the act of throwing things loosely in various directions, or a small, irregular quantity of something scattered over an area.

• The scattering of leaves in the autumn breeze created a picturesque scene
• There was a scattering of people at the park on a weekday afternoon

Often used in both scientific and general contexts to describe the process of distributing things or people over a wide area.

• The dispersion of light through a prism creates a spectrum of colors
• After the concert ended, the police managed the orderly dispersion of the crowd

Used in everyday language to talk about extending over a large area or to increase the range or reach of something. It can sometimes have a negative connotation, especially in relation to diseases.

• The spread of the wildfire was incredibly fast and devastating
• Social media played a huge role in the spread of the viral challenge

Used mainly in scientific contexts to describe the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

• The diffusion of perfume molecules in the air can be smelled from across the room
• Oxygen enters the blood through the diffusion process in the lungs

Used when speaking about the act of throwing or spreading things in various directions.

• The farmer was busy scattering seeds across the field.
• The scattering of confetti added to the celebratory atmosphere.

Used to describe the act of spreading things out over a wide area, often in scientific or statistical contexts.

• The dispersion of light through a prism creates a rainbow of colors.
• The mathematical analysis focused on the dispersion of data points around the mean.

Refers to how much something changes or varies over time. Commonly used in statistics and science.

• There is significant variability in the temperature here during the spring months.
• The study aimed to understand the variability in patient responses to the treatment.

Refers to a departure from a standard, norm, or expected path. Often used in technical or mathematical contexts.

• His unusual behavior was a deviation from his typical routine.
• The pilot had to make a slight deviation from the planned flight path due to bad weather.

Use when referring to spreading things far apart in an irregular or random pattern.

• The scattering of seeds was done carefully to ensure better growth
• The scattering of ashes took place at the beach

Often used in more formal contexts to describe the breaking up and spreading out of a group or substance.

• The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd
• The wind helped disperse the smoke from the fire

Best used when talking about dividing and giving out things evenly or to specific destinations.

• The charity plans to distribute food and blankets to the homeless
• She distributed the handouts to all the students in the class

Used for a wide range of situations, from physical distribution to metaphorical expansion. It can describe things extending over an area or increasing in influence.

• He spread butter on his toast
• The news spread quickly through the small town
• The disease spread rapidly among the population