Understanding the Difference Between Disburse and Disperse

Disburse vs. Disperse

In English, some words look and sound similar but have different meanings. “Disburse” and “disperse” are two such words. Let’s learn what they mean, their history, and how you can remember their differences.

Disburse

Meaning: “Disburse” means to pay out money from a fund.

History: This word comes from the Latin word “disbursare,” which means to “pay money out of a purse.”

How to Use: We use “disburse” when talking about giving or paying money.

Example Sentences:

1. The school will disburse funds to help students buy books.
2. The company disbursed salaries to all its employees on Friday.
3. The bank disburses loans to qualified applicants.
4. The charity disbursed money to build a new playground.
5. Once the paperwork is done, the agency will disburse the grant money.

Disperse

Meaning: “Disperse” means to scatter or spread things or people over a wide area.

History: This word comes from the Latin word “dispersus,” which means to “scatter or spread widely.”

How to Use: We use “disperse” when talking about spreading or scattering.

Example Sentences:

1. The wind dispersed the seeds across the field.
2. The police asked the crowd to disperse after the event.
3. The teacher dispersed the students into different groups for the activity.
4. The fog slowly dispersed as the sun came up.
5. The scent of the flowers disperses through the garden.

Trick to Remember the Difference:

Think of “disburse” with “b” for “budget” or “bills,” meaning money. Think of “disperse” with “p” for “people” or “particles,” meaning to spread.

Summary

“Disburse” means paying out or giving money, while “disperse” means spreading out or scattering people or things. Remembering the little trick will help you use these words correctly!