noun
spasm
SPAZ-m
Spasm (noun) means a sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle or group of muscles. Example: “A spasm in his lower back left him unable to stand up straight.”
noun
1
A sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle or group of muscles.
"A spasm in his lower back left him unable to stand up straight."
"She felt a spasm in her calf halfway through the run."
2
A sudden, short burst of activity, energy, or emotion.
"A spasm of panic gripped the crowd when the lights went out."
verb
1
To contract suddenly and involuntarily.
"His hand spasmed and he dropped the cup."
How to use spasm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden tightening or jerk you can't control, usually in a muscle, or a short sharp burst of some feeling or activity.
Common pairings
muscle spasm
a spasm of pain
a spasm of anger
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Word forms
- Plural
- spasms
- Third person singular
- spasms
- Past tense
- spasmed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ in his lower back left him unable to stand up straight.
Etymology
From Greek spasmos, "convulsion," from spao, "to pull or draw out" — the muscle is being yanked tight involuntarily.
Synonyms
View more →
cramp
muscle spasm
Related words
Rhymes for spasm
See all rhymes for spasm →Frequently asked questions
What does “spasm” mean?
The word “spasm” means a sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle or group of muscles. In plain terms, a sudden tightening or jerk you can't control, usually in a muscle, or a short sharp burst of some feeling or activity.
How do you pronounce “spasm”?
“Spasm” is pronounced SPAZ-m (/ˈspæz.m̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “spasm” in a sentence?
Here is “spasm” used in a sentence: “A spasm in his lower back left him unable to stand up straight.”
What part of speech is “spasm”?
Depending on how it is used, “spasm” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spasm” come from?
The word “spasm” comes from Greek. From Greek spasmos, "convulsion," from spao, "to pull or draw out" — the muscle is being yanked tight involuntarily.
How many meanings does “spasm” have?
“Spasm” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle or group of muscles.
