verbreiten
Translation
to spread, to disseminate, to distribute, to propagate
Examples
Er verbreitet gerne Gerüchte.
He likes to spread rumours.
Das Virus verbreitet sich schnell.
The virus is spreading quickly.
Der Bauer verbreitet Samen auf dem Feld.
The farmer spreads seeds in the field.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((among sb.)) to spread sth. among sb. The news was spread quickly among the people.
sichAkk ((over sth.)) to spread over sth. (reflexive) The fire spread over the whole house.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ausbreiten, verteilen; Antonyms: eindämmen, zurückhalten
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating change or completion) and 'breit' (wide, broad). Literally 'to make wide'.
Memory Tips
Imagine spreading butter ('verbreiten') over a wide ('breit') piece of bread.