How to pronounce spread
Say it like SPRED. Spread is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- SPRED
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Spread pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPREDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of spread
American and British speakers say spread in essentially the same way: /sprɛd/ in the US and /sprɛd/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPRED.
What does spread mean?
- To stretch out, open out (a material etc.) so that it more fully covers a given area of space.“He spread his newspaper on the table.”
- To extend (individual rays, limbs etc.); to stretch out in varying or opposing directions. simple past and past participle of spread“I spread my arms wide and welcomed him home.”
- To disperse, to scatter or distribute over a given area.“I spread the rice grains evenly over the floor.”
- The act of spreading.
- Something that has been spread.
- A layout, pattern or design of cards arranged for a reading.
- To speedread; to recite one's arguments at an extremely fast pace.
Where does spread come from?
Cognate with Saterland Frisian spreede (“to spread”), West Frisian spriede (“to spread”), North Frisian spriedjen (“to spread”), Dutch spreiden (“to spread”), Low German spreden (“to spread”), German spreiten (“to spread, spread out”), Dani
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with spread
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of spread.
Questions about saying spread
How do you pronounce spread?
Say SPRED. The American pronunciation is /sprɛd/. In British English it is /sprɛd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in spread?
Spread is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SPRED.
Do Americans and Brits say spread the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /sprɛd/ and the British form is /sprɛd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.