spit

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈspit

Synonyms of spit next

: a slender pointed rod for holding meat over a fire

: a small point of land especially of sand or gravel running into a body of water

spit

2 of 4

verb (1)

spitted; spitting

transitive verb

: to fix on or as if on a spit : impale

spit

3 of 4

verb (2)

spit or spat ˈspat

; spitting

transitive verb

: to eject (something) from the mouth : expectorate

b(1)

: to express (unpleasant or malicious feelings) by or as if by spitting

(2)

: to utter with a spitting sound or scornful expression

spat out his words

: to emit as if by spitting

especially : to emit (precipitation) in driving particles or in flurries

spit rain

: to set to burning

spit a fuse

intransitive verb

a(1)

: to eject saliva as an expression of aversion or contempt

(2)

: to exhibit contempt

: to eject matter (such as saliva) from the mouth : expectorate

: to rain or snow slightly or in flurries

: to make a noise suggesting expectoration : sputter

spit

4 of 4

noun (2)

a(1)

: spittle, saliva

(2)

: the act or an instance of spitting

b(1)

: a frothy secretion exuded by spittlebugs

(2)

: spittlebug

: perfect likeness

: a sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow

Phrases

spit it out

: to say what is in the mind without further delay

Examples of spit in a Sentence

Noun (1) at the northeast end of the island is a long spit whose terminal is crowned by a towering lighthouse Verb (1) according to the propaganda put out by the war ministry, enemy soldiers were spitting innocent babies on bayonets Noun (2) the spit and image of his father so dry that he felt as if he had no spit left in his mouth

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Bryant worried that Moore’s insight, authenticity and integrity would not be appreciated, and his friend would be chewed up and spit out. —

Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 2 July 2024 And then, after that process, somebody is spit out of that process. —

ABC News, 30 June 2024 So really, shout-out to Graham for just spitting that off the top of his head. —

Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 21 June 2024 In one moment, the gelatinous creatures morph into a single being that engulfs the giggling pair before spitting them out into a lush field of flowers. —

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for spit

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English spitu; akin to Old High German spiz spit, spizzi pointed

Verb (2)

Middle English spitten, from Old English spittan; akin to Middle High German spiutzen to spit

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler

The first known use of spit was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Articles Related to spit

'Snotter', 'Groak', and 6 More Words...

Could you please not do that?

Where Does 'Spitting Image' Come From?

‘Spitten image’? ‘Spirit and image’? ‘Spit and image’? Oh dear.

Spit Take

Don't drink anything while reading this

Cite this Entry

Style

“Spit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spit. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

spit

1 of 3 noun

ˈspit

: a thin pointed rod for holding meat over a fire

: a small point of land that runs out into a body of water

spit

2 of 3 verb

spit or spat

ˈspat

; spitting

: to cause (as saliva) to spurt from the mouth : expectorate

: to express by or as if by spitting : make a spitting sound

: to give off briskly : emit

: to rain lightly or snow in flurries

spitter noun

spit

3 of 3 noun

: saliva

: the act of spitting

: a foamy secretion produced by spittlebugs

: perfect likeness

the spit and image of her father

Etymology

Noun

Old English spitu "a long rod for holding meat over a fire to cook"

Verb

Old English spittan "to spit (saliva) from the mouth"

Medical Definition

spit

1 of 2 verb

ˈspit

spit or spat ˈspat

; spitting

transitive verb

: to eject (as saliva) from the mouth

intransitive verb

: to eject saliva from the mouth

spit

2 of 2 noun

: saliva

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spit

noun (1)

verb (1)

verb (2)

noun (2)

Synonyms

Examples of spit in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near spit

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition