The difference between Expand and Spread

When used as verbs, expand means to change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one, whereas spread means to stretch out, open out (a material etc.) so that it more fully covers a given area of space.

Spread is also noun with the meaning: the act of spreading.

check bellow for the other definitions of Expand and Spread

  1. Expand as a verb (transitive):

    To change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.

    Examples:

    "You can expand this compact umbrella to cover a large table."

  2. Expand as a verb (transitive):

    To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).

    Examples:

    "A flower expands its leaves."

  3. Expand as a verb (transitive):

    To express (something) at length and/or in detail.

  4. Expand as a verb (transitive, algebra):

    To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.

    Examples:

    "Use the binomial theorem to expand (x+1)<sup>4</sup> to x<sup>4</sup> + 4x<sup>3</sup> + 6x<sup>2</sup> + 4x + 1."

  5. Expand as a verb (transitive, arithmetic):

    To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value

  6. Expand as a verb (intransitive):

    To change from a smaller form/size to a larger one.

    Examples:

    "Many materials expand when heated."

    "This compact umbrella expands to cover a large table."

  7. Expand as a verb (intransitive):

    To increase in extent, number, volume or scope.

  8. Expand as a verb (intransitive):

    To speak or write at length or in detail.

    Examples:

    "He expanded on his plans for the business."

  9. Expand as a verb (intransitive):

    To feel generous or optimistic.

  1. Spread as a verb (transitive):

    To stretch out, open out (a material etc.) so that it more fully covers a given area of space.

    Examples:

    "He spread his newspaper on the table."

  2. Spread as a verb (transitive):

    To extend (individual rays, limbs etc.); to stretch out in varying or opposing directions.

    Examples:

    "I spread my arms wide and welcomed him home."

  3. Spread as a verb (transitive):

    To disperse, to scatter or distribute over a given area.

    Examples:

    "I spread the rice grains evenly over the floor."

  4. Spread as a verb (intransitive):

    To proliferate; to become more widely present, to be disseminated.

  5. Spread as a verb (transitive):

    To disseminate; to cause to proliferate, to make (something) widely known or present.

    Examples:

    "The missionaries quickly spread their new message across the country."

  6. Spread as a verb (intransitive):

    To take up a larger area or space; to expand, be extended.

    Examples:

    "I dropped my glass; the water spread quickly over the tiled floor."

  7. Spread as a verb (transitive):

    To smear, to distribute in a thin layer.

    Examples:

    "She liked to spread butter on her toast while it was still hot."

  8. Spread as a verb (transitive):

    To cover (something) with a thin layer of some substance, as of butter.

    Examples:

    "He always spreads his toast with peanut butter and strawberry jam."

  9. Spread as a verb:

    To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions.

    Examples:

    "to spread a table"

  10. Spread as a verb (intransitive, slang):

    To open one's legs, especially for sexual favours.

  1. Spread as a noun:

    The act of spreading.

  2. Spread as a noun:

    Something that has been spread.

  3. Spread as a noun (cartomancy):

    A layout, pattern or design of cards arranged for a reading.

  4. Spread as a noun:

    An expanse of land.

  5. Spread as a noun:

    A large tract of land used to raise livestock; a cattle ranch.

  6. Spread as a noun:

    A piece of material used as a cover (such as a bedspread).

  7. Spread as a noun:

    A large meal, especially one laid out on a table.

  8. Spread as a noun (bread, etc.):

    Any form of food designed to be spread, such as butters or jams.

  9. Spread as a noun (prison, _, slang, uncountable):

    Food improvised by inmates from various ingredients to relieve the tedium of prison food.

    Examples:

    "synonyms swole"

  10. Spread as a noun:

    An item in a newspaper or magazine that occupies more than one column or page.

  11. Spread as a noun:

    Two facing pages in a book, newspaper etc.

  12. Spread as a noun:

    A numerical difference.

  13. Spread as a noun (business, economics):

    The difference between the wholesale and retail prices.

  14. Spread as a noun (trading, economics, finance):

    The difference between the price of a futures month and the price of another month of the same commodity.

  15. Spread as a noun (trading, finance):

    The purchase of a futures contract of one delivery month against the sale of another futures delivery month of the same commodity.

  16. Spread as a noun (trading, finance):

    The purchase of one delivery month of one commodity against the sale of that same delivery month of a different commodity.

  17. Spread as a noun (trading):

    An arbitrage transaction of the same commodity in two markets, executed to take advantage of a profit from price discrepancies.

  18. Spread as a noun (trading):

    The difference between bidding and asking price.

  19. Spread as a noun (finance):

    The difference between the prices of two similar items.

  20. Spread as a noun (geometry):

    An unlimited expanse of discontinuous points.

  21. Spread as a noun:

    The surface in proportion to the depth of a cut gemstone.

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