spud
11 synonyms for spud, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Informal word for a potato.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Informal word for a potato.
“He tossed a few spuds into the stew.”
How to use spud
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a few spuds
spud gun
spud the well
The potato sense is informal, everyday slang.
Etymology
From a Middle English word for a small knife, probably related to Scandinavian words for a spear or spike; the potato sense may have started in Australian or New Zealand slang.
Full origin of spud →Frequently asked questions
What does “spud” mean?
The word “spud” means informal word for a potato. In plain terms, everyday slang for a potato; also a small digging tool, and in the oil industry, to start drilling.
How do you pronounce “spud”?
“Spud” is pronounced spuhd (/spʌd/ in IPA).
How do you use “spud” in a sentence?
Here is “spud” used in a sentence: “He tossed a few spuds into the stew.”
What part of speech is “spud”?
Depending on how it is used, “spud” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spud” come from?
The word “spud” comes from Middle English. From a Middle English word for a small knife, probably related to Scandinavian words for a spear or spike; the potato sense may have started in Australian or New Zealand slang.
How many meanings does “spud” have?
“Spud” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal word for a potato.
