spit

[ spit ]

/ spɪt /

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See synonyms for: spit / spat / spitting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), spit or spat, spit·ting.

to eject saliva from the mouth; expectorate.

to express hatred, contempt, etc., by or as if by ejecting saliva from the mouth.

to sputter: grease spitting on the fire.

to fall in scattered drops or flakes, as rain or snow.

verb (used with object), spit or spat, spit·ting.

to eject from the mouth: The children were spitting watermelon seeds over the fence.

to throw out or emit like saliva: The kettle spits boiling water over the stove.

to set a flame to.

noun

saliva, especially when ejected.

the act of spitting.

Entomology.Also called spittle . the frothy secretion exuded by spittlebugs.

a light fall of rain or snow.

Verb Phrases

spit up, to vomit; throw up: The wounded soldier spat up blood.If you jostle the baby, she'll spit up.

OTHER WORDS FOR spit

3 spatter.

See synonyms for spit on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about spit

spit and image, Informal. exact likeness; counterpart: Hunched over his desk, pen in hand, he was the spit and image of his father at work.Also spitting image, spit 'n' image.

Origin of spit

First recorded before 950; Middle English verb spitten, spit(te), Old English spyttan, spittan; cognate with Old Norse spýta, German (dialect) spitzen “to spit”; the noun is derivative of the verb

OTHER WORDS FROM spit

spitlike, adjective

Other definitions for spit (2 of 2)

spit²

[ spit ]

/ spɪt /

noun

a pointed rod or bar for thrusting through and holding meat that is to be cooked before or over a fire.

any of various rods, pins, or the like used for particular purposes.

a narrow point of land projecting into the water.

a long, narrow shoal extending from the shore.

verb (used with object), spit·ted, spit·ting.

to pierce, stab, or transfix, as with a spit; impale on something sharp.

to thrust a spit into or through.

Origin of spit

First recorded before 1000; Middle English spit(e), spitte, Old English spitu; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German spit, spet, Old High German spiz “spit”; akin to Old Norse spīta “wooden peg, spit”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spit in a sentence

You may not be able to shave the meat off a spit of your own, but you can infuse plenty of proteins with shawarma seasonings and cook them in a way that brings out both their tenderness and their crispy edges, inspired by the real thing.
Turn a cheap chicken dinner into a Turkish street-food getaway|SAVEUR Editors|September 25, 2020|Popular-Science
Traditionally, as the spit turned, the fat would melt down the sides of the shawarma meat, moistening it and helping it caramelize.
Turn a cheap chicken dinner into a Turkish street-food getaway|SAVEUR Editors|September 25, 2020|Popular-Science
The virus comes connected with bits of spit and other things and it can’t get through the fibers.
The Importance of Face Masks and the Tragedy of Downplaying Them - Issue 90: Something Green|Kevin Berger|September 23, 2020|Nautilus
If the virus spreads through the air, as scientists now think it may, people may be infected simply by inhaling the virus in tiny droplets of spit released as someone talks or breathes.
Six foot social-distancing will not always be enough for COVID-19|Tina Hesman Saey|April 23, 2020|Science News For Students

If a sick person wears one of these, the mask may catch most of their germy droplets of spit or nasal mucus.
How much do masks help against COVID-19?|Tina Hesman Saey|April 23, 2020|Science News For Students
You cannot take your eyes off her for the entire film, as she vamps about, chewing up scenery and spitting out hearts.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In defiance, I held my ticket above my head, which triggered the spitting and chants of “How Dare You!”
Inside the Metropolitan Opera’s Insane Year|Shawn E. Milnes|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He recounts to her the bullying he receives at school, with classmates spitting on him as he walks down the halls.
‘To Russia With Love’: Can Johnny Weir Save Russia’s Gays?|Kevin Fallon|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The other child started by spitting on and pinching her daughter.
Loud, Proud, and Atheist: ‘Openly Secular’ Encourages Nonbelievers to Come Out of the Closet|Vlad Chituc|September 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I know they ended up putting a spit bag on his head because he was getting really violent and spitting and who knows what.
The Porn Party Where War Machine Went Ballistic|Aurora Snow|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His Shop is the Randenvous of spitting, where men dialogue with their noses, and their conversation is smoke.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
It was not long before a fire was crackling cheerily and bacon was spitting in a frying pan over the blaze.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O|Clair Blank
"It wad be hard to ken," replied Matthew Maitland, taking his pipe out of his mouth and spitting savagely upon the ground.
The Underworld|James C. Welsh
At night to supper and to bed: this night having first put up a spitting sheet, which I find very convenient.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete|Samuel Pepys
The rite concludes by the recipient spitting on a consecrated host and the whole assembly piercing it in turn with stilettos.
Devil-Worship in France|Arthur Edward Waite

British Dictionary definitions for spit (1 of 3)

spit¹

/ (spɪt) /

verb spits, spitting, spat or spit

(intr) to expel saliva from the mouth; expectorate

(intr) informal to show disdain or hatred by spitting

(of a fire, hot fat, etc) to eject (fragments of coal, sparks, etc) violently and with an explosive sound; splutter

(intr) to rain very lightly

(tr often foll by out) to eject or discharge (something) from the mouthhe spat the food out; to spit blood

(tr often foll by out) to utter (short sharp words or syllables), esp in a violent manner

spit chips Australian slang to be very angryAlso (NZ): spit tacks

spit it out! British informal a command given to someone that he should speak forthwith

noun

another name for spittle

a light or brief fall of rain, snow, etc

the act or an instance of spitting

informal, mainly British another word for spitting image

Derived forms of spit

spitter, noun

Word Origin for spit

Old English spittan; related to spǣtan to spit, German dialect spitzen

British Dictionary definitions for spit (2 of 3)

spit²

/ (spɪt) /

noun

a pointed rod on which meat is skewered and roasted before or over an open fire

Also called: rotisserie, rotating spit a similar device rotated by electricity or clockwork, fitted onto a cooker

an elongated often hooked strip of sand or shingle projecting from the shore, deposited by longshore drift, and usually above water

verb spits, spitting or spitted

(tr) to impale on or transfix with or as if with a spit

Word Origin for spit

Old English spitu; related to Old High German spiz spit, Norwegian spit tip

British Dictionary definitions for spit (3 of 3)

spit³

/ (spɪt) /

noun

the depth of earth cut by a spade; a spade's depth

Word Origin for spit

C16: from Middle Dutch and Middle Low German spit

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spit

OTHER WORDS FOR spit

Idioms about spit

Origin of spit

OTHER WORDS FROM spit

Other definitions for spit (2 of 2)

Origin of spit

Words related to spit

How to use spit in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spit (1 of 3)

Derived forms of spit

Word Origin for spit

British Dictionary definitions for spit (2 of 3)

Word Origin for spit

British Dictionary definitions for spit (3 of 3)

Word Origin for spit