spate
Americannoun
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a sudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring.
a spate of angry words.
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British.
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a flood or inundation.
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a river flooding its banks.
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a sudden or heavy rainstorm.
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noun
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a fast flow, rush, or outpouring
a spate of words
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a sudden flood
the rivers were in spate
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a sudden heavy downpour
Etymology
Origin of spate
1400–50; late Middle English (north) < ?
Explanation
A spate is a large number. If a spate of new coffee shops open in your neighborhood, it’ll be easy for you to stay wide awake. You’ll have easy access to plenty of caffeine. Though it’s now used to describe a large number or unusually large amount of something, the word spate originally described a sudden flood of water, such as a river overflowing after a downpour. Thinking about being overwhelmed by a sudden rush of water will help you remember to use spate when you encounter an unexpected overflow of anything, whether it’s books, robberies, celebrity break-ups, or corporate mergers.
Vocabulary lists containing spate
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Born a Crime
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Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The trial is the latest case seeking justice for a spate of similar thefts in recent years from libraries across Europe, suspected to be the work of an organised network.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
During the state’s last major spate of poisonings in 2016, 14 cases were reported.
From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026
Index providers are racing to adapt in anticipation of a spate of large IPOs later this year.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
That’s what’s peculiar about Gyllenhaal’s recent spate: These characters feel almost outdated, as if he’d fantasized, years ago, about playing parts like these but never got the opportunity when he was Hollywood’s critical darling.
From Salon • May 27, 2026
In a spate of loneliness, I felt about inside Bear’s sack, found his recorder, and played a melody.
From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
