verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/ˌɪntəˈspɜːs/
Canada, US:/ˌɪntɚˈspɝs/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australian:/ˌɪntəˈspɜːs/
QueenslandRecorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:IH2 N T ER0 S P ER1 S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To mix two things irregularly, placing things of one kind among things of other.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To scatter or insert something into or among other things.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
When writing, I intersperse details.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: thread
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To diversify by placing or inserting other things among something.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
Mother Nature interspersed the petunias with a few dandelions, but it was a pretty garden, anyway.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
introduce one's writing or speech with certain expressions
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: interlard
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: insert, enclose, inclose, stick in, put in, introduce