spew
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to eject from the stomach through the mouth; vomit.
-
to cast forth, gush, or eject, as in disgust or anger.
The angry sergeant spewed his charges at us.
noun
verb
-
to eject (the contents of the stomach) involuntarily through the mouth; vomit
-
to spit (spittle, phlegm, etc) out of the mouth
-
(usually foll by out) to send or be sent out in a stream
flames spewed out
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have spewedperfect
-
has spewedperfect 3rd person singular
-
has been spewingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
am spewingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are spewingprogressive
-
have been spewingperfect progressive
-
is spewingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
spewssingular 3rd person
-
spewingparticiple
Past
-
had spewedperfect
-
had been spewingperfect progressive
-
spewedsimple
-
were spewingprogressive plural
-
was spewingprogressive singular
-
spewedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of spew
First recorded before 900; Middle English spewen “to vomit, cast forth foul language,” Old English spīwan “to vomit”; cognate with German speien, Old Norse spȳja, Gothic speiwan, Latin spuere
Explanation
To spew is to forcefully expel something, the way a volcano spews hot lava when it erupts, or the way you might spew soda from your mouth if your friend makes you laugh right after you take a big gulp. You might see steam spew from the factory near your house or watch a city bus spew smoke from its exhaust pipe. Figuratively, to spew can also mean "to say ugly or hateful things," and some people also use it to mean "vomit." The Old English source of spew is spiwan ("to spit") and comes from a root that probably imitated the sound of someone spitting.
Vocabulary lists containing spew
Articles on Environmental Issues and Sustainable Living
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Jerry Lee Lewis (1935–2022) Tribute List
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Today, mobile devices endlessly spew entertainment that rarely models healthy social behavior.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
It used to be that coal’s biggest opponents were environmentalists who raised alarms about the soot they spew.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
For nearly 20 years, thousands of industrial plants across the U.S. and California have been required to track and report the greenhouse gas pollution they spew into the atmosphere.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2025
They've shown a part of the body known to recycle proteins has a secret mode that can spew out an arsenal of bacteria-killing chemicals.
From BBC • Mar. 5, 2025
But when it was my turn, I made Adria laugh and spew water in less than ten seconds!
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
