intersperse

verb

in·​ter·​sperse ˌin-tər-ˈspərs 

interspersed; interspersing

transitive verb

1

: to insert at intervals among other things

interspersing drawings throughout the text

2

: to place something at intervals in or among

intersperse a book with pictures

interspersion

ˌin-tər-ˈspər-zhən 

-shən

noun

Did you know?

Intersperse comes from Latin interspersus, a combination of the prefix inter- ("between or among") and sparsus, the past participle of spargere, meaning "to scatter." Sparsus is also the source of sparse.

Synonyms

• interlace
• interweave
• lace
• salt
• thread
• weave
• wreathe

Examples of intersperse in a Sentence

You should intersperse these pictures evenly throughout the book.

Some seagulls were interspersed among the ducks.

Recent Examples on the Web

While all of the chefs are obviously comfortable being and talking on camera, there’s still a palpable difference in the energy between them and the actors, especially since many of those character-to-chef conversations are interspersed with character-to-character ones. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2024

Following his journey of film appreciation and acceptance of changing technology, interspersed with interviews and commentary of fellow cinephiles, Rob Murphy creates a love letter to the art of cinema through the medium of film. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 June 2024

Riders drifted past the crowd, grinning and clutching beer cans, and a team of freestyle snowmobilers launched backflips off a jump, interspersed with jets of flame. —Nick Bowlin, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024

On that Jude intersperses throughout his picture until its main character, who’s also named Angela Coman (Dorina Lazar), intersects with the present-day storyline in a gratifying convergence. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin interspersus interspersed, from inter- + sparsus, past participle of spargere to scatter — more at spark

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

intersperse

verb

in·​ter·​sperse ˌint-ər-ˈspərs 

interspersed; interspersing

1

: to set here and there among other things

intersperse pictures in a book

2

: to vary with things inserted here and there

interspersed the photo album with her poetry

interspersion

-ˈspər-zhən 

noun