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

That said, with the greater variety of attractions comes more tourist traps interspersed with quality establishments. —David Dickstein, Oc Register, 4 June 2025

Its stunning alpine mountains interspersed with vast deserts hold an abundance of coal, copper and other natural resources used in high-tech manufacturing. —Arkansas Online, 4 June 2025

The other, equally intriguing, features a pattern of Cooler Master logos interspersed with silver bits. —PC Magazine, 25 May 2025

Old photos and archival materials — concert fliers, newspaper clippings and even a Cadillac registration — are interspersed with Swamp Dogg’s writing, making the book more of a visual autobiography or scrapbook than a standard cookbook. —Jinnie Lee Laura Regensdorf Elissa Suh Roxanne Fequiere, New York Times, 15 May 2025

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

Rhymes for intersperse

• reimburse
• universe
• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse
• immerse
• inverse
• obverse
• perverse

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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