noun
Uncommon
spade
spayd
Spade (noun) means a hand tool with a flat blade and a handle, used for digging. Example: “He grabbed a spade to dig up the old rose bush.”
noun
1
A hand tool with a flat blade and a handle, used for digging.
"He grabbed a spade to dig up the old rose bush."
"She used the spade to turn over the soil before planting."
2
A playing card marked with the black symbol shaped like a stylized leaf (♠).
"He led with the ace of spades to win the trick."
verb
1
To dig or turn over ground using a spade.
"They spent Saturday spading the vegetable patch."
How to use spade
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA digging tool with a flat blade, or one of the four card suits.
Common mistake
A spade has a flatter, straighter blade for cutting into soil; a shovel has a curved scoop for moving loose material. Also note: "spade" as a slur for a Black person is offensive and should be avoided entirely.
Common pairings
dig with a spade
ace of spades
call a spade a spade
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like spade.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- spades
- Third person singular
- spades
- Past tense
- spaded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He grabbed a _____ to dig up the old rose bush.
Etymology
From Old English spada, going back to a Proto-Germanic root also seen in the fencing term "spatha."
Rhymes for spade
See all rhymes for spade →Frequently asked questions
What does “spade” mean?
The word “spade” means a hand tool with a flat blade and a handle, used for digging. In plain terms, a digging tool with a flat blade, or one of the four card suits.
How do you pronounce “spade”?
“Spade” is pronounced spayd (/speɪ̯d/ in IPA).
How do you use “spade” in a sentence?
Here is “spade” used in a sentence: “He grabbed a spade to dig up the old rose bush.”
What part of speech is “spade”?
Depending on how it is used, “spade” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spade” come from?
The word “spade” comes from Old English. From Old English spada, going back to a Proto-Germanic root also seen in the fencing term "spatha.".
Is “spade” a common word?
“Spade” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spade” have?
“Spade” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hand tool with a flat blade and a handle, used for digging.
