spoke
7 synonyms for spoke, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — One of the thin rods that run from the hub of a wheel out to its rim.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Old English spāca, describing the rods of a wheel — the same root gave us "spike."
Full origin of spoke →Frequently asked questions
What does “spoke” mean?
The word “spoke” means one of the thin rods that run from the hub of a wheel out to its rim. In plain terms, either a wheel's connecting rod, or the past tense of "speak.".
How do you pronounce “spoke”?
“Spoke” is pronounced spohk (/spoʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “spoke” in a sentence?
Here is “spoke” used in a sentence: “A stone got caught between the spokes of his bicycle wheel.”
What part of speech is “spoke”?
Depending on how it is used, “spoke” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spoke” come from?
The word “spoke” comes from Old English. From Old English spāca, describing the rods of a wheel — the same root gave us "spike.".
Is “spoke” a common word?
“Spoke” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spoke” have?
“Spoke” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the thin rods that run from the hub of a wheel out to its rim.
What is an example of a spoke?
The thin metal wires running from the centre of a bicycle wheel out to the tyre rim are spokes. On an old wooden cart wheel they are sturdier wooden rods. In each case a spoke connects the hub at the middle to the rim at the edge, helping the wheel keep its shape and bear weight.
Is 'spoke' also the past tense of 'speak'?
Yes. "Spoke" is a homograph: as a noun it means a rod in a wheel, but it is also the past tense of the verb "speak," as in "she spoke clearly." The two meanings are unrelated and come from different roots, so context always makes clear which one is intended.
What is the difference between a spoke and the hub?
They are different parts of the same wheel. The hub is the solid centre that turns on the axle, while the spokes are the rods radiating outward from that hub to the outer rim. The hub anchors the spokes, and the spokes span the gap between hub and rim.
