Cultural diffusion refers to the spread of cultural beliefs, practices, and ideas from one group of people to another. There are several synonyms for cultural diffusion, including cultural exchange, cultural transmission, cross-cultural interaction, cultural assimilation, and acculturation. Cultural exchange refers to the sharing of cultural elements between two or more groups, while cultural transmission describes the process of passing culture from one generation to the next. Cross-cultural interaction emphasizes the meeting of different cultures and the exchange of ideas that takes place. Cultural assimilation describes the process by which one culture adopts the practices and beliefs of another, while acculturation refers to the changes that occur when cultures come into contact with one another.