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 of intersperse

• weave
• combine
• insert
• mix
• incorporate
• salt
• thread

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

The streamer also released a short teaser, showing a bank of 1990s-era TV sets airing footage of the series interspersed with news reports of the high school soccer team’s rescue. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026

In the podcast, conversations with guests are interspersed with rambling reflections from Von, who is open about his past issues with substance abuse. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026

Players will be interspersed, and users free to build a squad drawn entirely from either league or a mix of both. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 19 Aug. 2026

Arrange the citrus beautifully — interspersing different colors and sizes — on a serving platter. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

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