intersperse

1 of 2

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

interspersion

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​spersion ˌintərˈspər|zhən 

təˈspə̄|, 

-pəi| British usually & US sometimes shən

plural -s

: the act or fact of interspersing or state of being interspersed: such as

a

: the intermingling of kinds of organisms (as species) within an ecological community

b

: the state or degree of intermingling of one kind of organism with others

certain forbs show a high level of interspersion in grasslands

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

Verb

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

Examples of intersperse in a Sentence

Verb

You should intersperse these pictures evenly throughout the book.

Some seagulls were interspersed among the ducks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The overall aesthetic is simplistic and filled with natural light, with a tasteful (never cluttered) array of antiques and more modern furniture pieces interspersed throughout. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026

On the surface, the latest album from Texas troubadour Kacey Musgraves muses about rediscovering a center of gravity after the end of a relationship and acclimating to long-term dry spells interspersed with low-stakes hookups. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026

Action has come and gone in this match, with short spurts of chances interspersed with plenty of passive play. — Nbc News, NBC news, 7 July 2026

On his Instagram, happy photos of his family living the American dream are interspersed with violent admonitions about the forces lurking in his own community and seeking to destroy him. — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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