2 syllables: Dis, perse. Stress on perse.
dis-PURS
/dɪˈspɝs/
Disperse is pronounced dis-PURS (/dɪˈspɝs/). It has two syllables (Dis-perse), with the stress on "perse". Disperse is a verb meaning to scatter or distribute objects or people over an area, or to distribute things widely in space or time. It can describe breaking up a group, spreading seeds, or distributing items across locations. The sense emphasizes movement from a concentrated group to various points, often resulting in a more dispersed arrangement.
verbDisperse is a verb meaning to scatter or distribute objects or people over an area, or to distribute things widely in space or time. It can describe breaking up a group, spreading seeds, or distributing items across locations. The sense emphasizes movement from a concentrated group to various points, often resulting in a more dispersed arrangement.
- You’ll often misplace the stress on the first syllable (DIS-perse) or produce a weak /ɜː/ by using a short /ɪ/ or /e/ instead. - Final /s/ may become a /z/ or a stop in rapid speech, blurring the boundary. - The /ɜː/ or /ɜːr/ quality can be flattened to a dull /ɜ/ or confused with /ɪ/; ensure the tongue sits mid-central with lips neutral, not spread.
"The crowd began to disperse after the concert."
"Authorities dispersed the protesters with a warning."
"Seeds were dispersed by wind across the field."
Pronounce it with stress on the second syllable: dis-PERSE. IPA US/UK/AU: /dɪˈspɜːrs/ (US) or /dɪˈspɜːs/ (UK/AU). Your mouth starts with a light, unstressed di- sound, then the long 'er' vowel in the stressed syllable, finishing with a soft 's' consonant. Tip: ensure the 'perse' part has a clear, rounded mid-back vowel and a crisp final s. Try a quick audio reference and mirror mouth positions to match the /ɜː/ or /ɜːr/ vowel quality.
Common errors: 1) Stress shifting to the first syllable (dis-PERSE vs DIS-perse). 2) Slurring the final /s/ into a voiced vowel sound, making it ‘dis-perz’. 3) Misproducing /ɜː/ as a short /ɪ/ or /eə/. Correction: keep the secondary syllable stressed with a clear /ɜː/ or /ɜːr/ in US, UK, and AU; finish with a crisp /s/. Practice by saying ‘dih-SPURSS’ slowly, then speed up, noticing the vowel length and final s.
US tends to use /dɪˈspɜːrs/ with a rhotic /r/ and a longer /ɜːr/ in the stressed syllable. UK and AU often realize /dɪˈspɜːs/ with a non-rhotic or lightly rhotic r, and the vowel can be a tense /ɜː/. The main differences are rhoticity and vowel coloration: US rhymes with ‘verse’, UK/AU may have a shorter or slightly clipped /ɜː/ without linking r. Listen to native samples in Forvo or YouGlish to hear each variant.
The challenge lies in the /ˈspɜːr/ sequence with the stressed syllable containing both a mid-back vowel and a final sibilant. The /ɜː/ vowel can be unfamiliar if your L1 uses a different stress-timed pattern or vowel. Additionally, the /rp/ transition in rapid speech can feel tricky as the tongue shifts quickly from /r/ to /p/ to create the stressed nucleus before the /s/. Focus on a clean /ɜːr/ or /ɜː/ plus a crisp /s/.
The word hinges on the precise realization of the stressed /ɜːr/ or /ɜː/ vowel followed by /s/. Unlike some similar verbs (e.g., disperse vs. disperse), the exact vowel quality and the final /s/ must be crisp, not a voiced /z/. The placement of the primary stress on the second syllable and the subtle vowel length changes across dialects make it a good probe word for testing non-rhoticity and vowel color across accents.
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- US: rhotic /r/ is pronounced with the tongue curling slightly; ensure the /r/ is clearly voiced before the final consonant. - UK: non-rhotic tendency; the /r/ in coda position is often silent; focus on the /ɜː/ vowel, keeping it tense and rounded. - AU: similar to UK, with a slightly broader mouth opening and a more centralized /ɜː/; keep a flat, even tone across the word. Use IPA references /dɪˈspɜːs/ in all cases and practice with minimal pairs to highlight vowel differences.
Disperse comes from Middle French disperser, from Latin dispergere, which itself is figure of speech meaning to scatter. The Latin form dis- (apart) plus prærgere (to scatter, sprinkle) or the root pergere (to carry forward) evolves through Old French into English in the 15th century. The prefix dis- signals separation, while -perse relates historically to scattering or dispersing seed and light. The word has retained its core spatial sense across centuries, expanding to figurative uses like dispersing information or resources. First known use in English dates to the 15th century with early senses tied to scattering or dispersing people or items. Over time, the term adopted broader contexts, including physics (dispersion) and meteorology (dispersal of particles). Modern usage emphasizes organized or unorganized distribution over space or time, often implying some controlled or observable act of spreading.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Disperse" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Disperse" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Disperse" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Disperse"
-rse sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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