divide and split share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. divide means “separate into parts or portions”. split means “extending the legs at right angles to the trunk (one in front and the other in back)”. split is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/dɪˈvaɪd/
1.v.separate into parts or portions
“divide the cake into three equal parts”
2.v.perform a division
“Can you divide 49 by seven?”
3.v.act as a barrier between; stand between
“The mountain range divides the two countries”
/ˈsplɪt/
1.n.extending the legs at right angles to the trunk (one in front and the other in back)
2.n.a bottle containing half the usual amount
3.n.a promised or claimed share of loot or money
“he demanded his split before they disbanded”
| divide | split | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /dɪˈvaɪd/ | /ˈsplɪt/ |
| Said | di-VAHYD | split |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Letters | 6 | 5 |
| Parts of speech | verb, noun | noun, verb, adjective |
| Senses | 8 | 18 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | split, split up, separate | none recorded |
Full entry for divide · Full entry for split · More comparisons