divide

To separate something into two or more parts, or share it between people.

• Divide the apple in half.
• We divided the class into groups.
• They divided the work equally between them.

How to use it: divide something into something (Divide the cake into six pieces.); divide something between/among people (We divided the money among four friends.)

Similar words: split, separate, share out

Opposites: combine, unite

Common phrases: divide something up, divide into groups, divide something equally

To calculate how many times one number fits into another.

• Divide ten by two.
• We divided twenty by five and got four.
• Does three divide into twelve exactly?

How to use it: divide A by B (Divide twelve by three to get four.); A divides into B (Two divides into ten five times.)

Opposites: multiply

Common phrases: divide by two, divide into six, divide a number

To become two or more separate parts.

• The road divides here.
• The river divided into three narrow streams.
• These cells divide very quickly.

How to use it: divide into something (The stream divides into two branches.)

Similar words: split, branch, separate

Opposites: merge, join

Common phrases: divide into two, cells divide, roads divide

To cause people to disagree or form opposing groups.

• The issue divides the town.
• The new policy divided public opinion.
• Money has divided this family for years.

Similar words: split, polarize

Opposites: unite

Common phrases: divide a community, divide public opinion, divide the nation

To mark a measuring tool with lines showing regular units or steps.

• Divide the scale into equal intervals.
• The craftsman divided the instrument with fine marks.
• They used a machine to divide the sextant accurately.

How to use it: divide something into units (The maker divided the scale into degrees.)

Similar words: graduate, calibrate

Common phrases: divide a scale, divide a sextant, divide into degrees

A difference or separation between people or groups, especially in beliefs, wealth, or opportunities.

• The social divide is growing.
• Education can help bridge the divide between rich and poor.
• They worked together despite their political divides.

How to use it: a divide between A and B (There is a divide between younger and older voters.)

Similar words: gap, gulf, division

Common phrases: digital divide, social divide, bridge the divide

Something that separates two areas or things, such as a line or ridge of high land.

• We crossed the mountain divide.
• The fence marks the divide between the fields.
• Rivers on opposite sides of the divide flow toward different seas.

How to use it: a divide between A and B (The ridge forms a divide between the two valleys.)

Similar words: boundary, barrier, watershed

Common phrases: cross the divide, mountain divide, continental divide

The act of separating something into parts or shares.

• The divide gave each family some land.
• They agreed on an equal divide of the property.
• After the divide, each brother owned a separate field.

Similar words: division, partition, splitting

Opposites: union

Common phrases: divide of property, equal divide, divide of land