spread
SPRED
/sprɛd/
An abundant, elaborate meal laid out across a table; or the act of extending over an area.
When used as a food noun, it connotes a lavish, welcoming feast with many dishes.
The story behind the word. Originating from Proto-Germanic '*spraidijana' and Old English 'sprædan', meaning to unfold, stretch out, or cover a surface. Its application to food dates to the 16th century when food was visually 'spread out' across a broad dining table.
Word relationships
- feast: Feast places stronger emphasis on celebration and ritual gathering.
- banquet: Banquet implies a formal, structured event with speeches or honored guests.
- snack: A snack is a small, minimal portion of food.
Commonly confused with
- buffet: Spread describes the visual abundance of food laid out, whereas buffet describes the self-service dining mechanism.
Word family
- spreading (verb/noun): The action of expanding or laying out.
Collocations
- lavish spread
- impressive spread
- luxurious spread
- lay out a spread
Example sentences
- "Grandmother prepared an incredible Thanksgiving spread featuring turkey, stuffing, and pie." Family gathering
- "The picnic table was covered with a colorful spread of fresh fruit, cheeses, and crusty bread." Casual dining
Memory hook
SPREAD out all the dishes across the wide table. Spread out dishes create a spread.
When not to use
Do not use as a meal noun for a single sandwich on a paper plate.
Fun facts
- In English culinary culture, 'spread' can mean both the entire feast and soft paste like butter or cheese spread onto bread.
Related words
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