spread like wildfire Definition

spread
verb spread, spreading

tr & intr
1. To apply, or be capable of being applied, in a smooth coating over a surface.

Example: spread the butter on the toast
Example: This butter spreads easily
Thesaurus: coat, daub, paint, spray, plaster.
2. To extend or make it extend or scatter, often more widely or more thinly.

Form: spread out (also)
Form: spread something out
3. To open it out or unfold it, especially to its full extent.

Example: spread the sheet on the bed
Thesaurus: unfurl, open, expand, flatten, even out, widen, enlarge; Antonym: close, fold.
Form: spread something out (also)
tr & intr
4. To transmit or be transmitted or distributed.

Example: Flies spread disease
Example: Rumours began to spread
Thesaurus: scatter, diffuse, sow, radiate, disseminate, disperse, distribute, circulate, advertise, publish, broadcast, proclaim, promulgate; Antonym: contain.
5a. To separate or come undone or apart;
5b. To force apart.

Thesaurus: separate, divide, part, sever.

noun

1a. The act, process or extent of spreading;
1b. Coverage or expanse, area.

Example: This mobile phone has a 98% spread
Thesaurus: extent, scope, range, expanse, reach, span, sweep, measure, compass.
2. A food in paste form, for spreading on bread, etc.
3a. originally
A pair of facing pages in a newspaper or magazine;
3b. loosely
An article in a newspaper or magazine.
Example: a huge spread on Madonna
4. colloq
A lavish meal.
Example: put on a scrumptious spread
Thesaurus: meal, feast, banquet, array, repast.
(N Amer)
5a. A farm and its lands, usually one given over to cattle-rearing;
5b. A large house with extensive grounds.
6. colloq
Increased fatness around the waist and hips.
Example: middle-age spread
7. A cover, especially for a bed or table.
8. stock exchange.
The difference between the price that is bid for shares and the price they are offered at.

adj

1. Being in or having an extended, wide or open position.
2. phonetics.
Said of a vowel such as the one in spread: articulated with the lips in an open as opposed to a rounded position.
3. Said of a gemstone: flat and shallow.

Derivative: spreader
noun

Derivative: spreading

See separate entry.

Idiom: spread it about (a bit) (spread oneself about (a bit))

slang
To behave promiscuously.

Idiom: spread like wildfire

Said of gossip, news, etc: to become widely known very quickly.

Idiom: spread oneself too thin

To commit oneself to too many things at once and so become unable to do any of them satisfactorily.

Idiom: spread one's wings

To attempt to broaden one's experience.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon sprædan.

Phrasal Verb: spread from or to somewhere

To extend or come from or to (a place, etc).
Example: Rain will spread from the west
Example: The unrest soon spread to all departments

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wildfire
noun

1. A highly flammable liquid originally used in warfare.
2. A sweeping destructive fire.

Idiom: spread like wildfire

Said of disease or rumour, etc: to spread rapidly and extensively.