noun

spat

noun

A brief, minor argument or quarrel.

"The two roommates had a spat over whose turn it was to do the dishes."

"It was just a small spat, and they made up an hour later."

The eggs or newly settled young of shellfish such as oysters.

"Oyster farmers collect spat on special shells to grow the next crop."

A short cloth or leather covering worn over the top of a shoe.

"In old photographs, well-dressed gentlemen are often shown wearing spats."

verb

To argue briefly and pettily.

"The siblings spatted over the last slice of pizza."

How to Use Spat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small squabble between people, or, in a completely different sense, baby oysters or a shoe covering.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "spate" (a sudden flood or rush of something) — they look similar but are unrelated.

Easily confused with

spate →

Word Forms

spatted past tense, spatted past tense, spatted past tense, spats plural, spats plural, spats plural, spats plural, spats plural, spats singular, spats singular, spats singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The two roommates had a _____ over whose turn it was to do the dishes.

Etymology

Origin uncertain; possibly linked to "spit," though the exact history is unclear.

Rhymes for spat

pat

See all rhymes for spat →