What does "spat" mean?
The spawn of shellfish, especially oysters and similar molluscs.
Spat
/spæt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The spawn of shellfish, especially oysters and similar molluscs.
- Grammar: spat is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: gaiter, acclaim, altercate, altercation.
- Useful contrasts: agreement, bare ankle, bare leg.
- Usage evidence: He spat on the ground in disgust.
How to use "spat"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "spat" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "spat" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "spat" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "spat" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "spat" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "gaiter" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "spat", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The spawn of shellfish, especially oysters and similar molluscs. countable, uncountable
"As spat-fall often occurs in areas away from environments suitable for oyster growing, the collection, transport and sale of oyster spat has developed into a separate industry."
- 2 A covering or decorative covering worn over a shoe. in-plural, often
- 3 A brief argument, falling out, quarrel.
"get into a trivial spat over punctuality"
- 4 A light blow with something flat.
- 5 An obsolete unit of distance in astronomy (symbol S), equal to one billion kilometres.
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 a young oyster or other bivalve wordnet
- 7 A juvenile shellfish which has attached to a hard surface. countable, uncountable
"Conditions in pearl oyster hatcheries are optimized for growth and survival of spat."
- 8 A piece of bodywork that covers the upper portions of the rear tyres of a car. Australia, UK
- 9 a cloth covering (a legging) that covers the instep and ankles wordnet
- 10 A drag-reducing aerodynamic fairing covering the upper portions of the tyres of an aeroplane equipped with non-retractable landing gear.
- 11 a quarrel about petty points wordnet
Verb
- 1 simple past and past participle of spit form-of, participle, past
"There was no sink in the room so we spat out the window."
- 2 To spawn, used of shellfish as above. ambitransitive
- 3 To quarrel or argue pettily briefly. intransitive
- 4 To strike with a spattering sound. intransitive, transitive
"He felt the wind of a second bullet that spatted against a boulder near Barney."
- 5 clap one's hands together wordnet
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 To slap, as with the open hand; to clap together, as the hands. US, dialectal
"Little Isabel leaped up and down, spatting her hands."
- 7 spawn wordnet
- 8 engage in a brief and petty quarrel wordnet
- 9 clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval wordnet
- 10 strike with a sound like that of falling rain wordnet
- 11 become permanently attached wordnet
- 12 come down like raindrops wordnet
Example
"He spat on the ground in disgust."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "spat"?
Common synonyms include: gaiter, acclaim, altercate, altercation, altercation, applaud.
How do you use "spat" in a sentence?
He spat on the ground in disgust.
How do you pronounce "spat"?
Pronounced /spæt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Old English spittan, spætan.
Etymology 2
Uncertain; perhaps related to spit.
Etymology 3
Shortening of spatterdash, from spatter + dash. 1779.
Etymology 4
1804. American English, probably imitative.
Etymology 5
Attested from 1823.
Etymology 6
From Latin spatium (“space”).