Even if you have a good level of English, it’s still easy to use the wrong word by mistake. The most likely culprits are words which sound or look quite similar, which make it crucial to check your work thoroughly before submitting. Today, we explain the difference between the words “diffuse” and “defuse.”
The literal meaning of “defuse” is to remove the fuse from something to disarm it, usually a bomb:
After receiving a call about a suspicious package, the police moved in to defuse the device.
We also use “defuse” metaphorically to describe reducing tension or anger to calm something or someone down:
Dan was getting really angry, but Jane defused the situation.
In this sense, we always speak about defusing a situation, never a person.
“Diffuse” is most commonly used to mean “spread out” or “scatter.” This can be either as a verb, describing the action of scattering something:
The photographer used a special filter to diffuse the light.
Or it can be used as an adjective to describe something that has been scattered. Light can be diffused with a filter, for instance:
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
Diffuse light is often used in portrait photography, since it produces fewer shadows.
However, “diffuse” has a similar but more specific meaning in science, where it relates to the process of “diffusion”:
As the dye diffused through the solution, the movement of the particles became clear.
It is also possible to use “diffuse” in relation to speech or writing, where it means “lengthy” or “wordy” and often has a negative connotation of being boring:
The CEO’s speech at the awards ceremony was particularly diffuse. Several people fell asleep.
As you can see, these terms have very different meanings, so you should try to avoid confusing them in your written work. Thankfully, once you know their definitions, the differences make it easy to tell these words apart. Remember:
Defuse = Disarm a bomb/ease a tense situation
Diffuse = Spread out/overly long and wordy
Δ
3-minute read
Are you interested in learning more about the role of a content editor and the...
4-minute read
Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...
2-minute read
Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...
No matter your industry, conducting market research helps you keep up to date with shifting...
In a world where you need to stand out, press releases are key to being...
In the United States, the US Patent and Trademarks Office issues patents. In the United...