noun
Uncommon
spat
spat
Spat (noun) means a brief, minor argument or quarrel. Example: “The two roommates had a spat over whose turn it was to do the dishes.”
noun
1
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."
2
The eggs or newly settled young of shellfish such as oysters.
"Oyster farmers collect spat on special shells to grow the next crop."
3
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
1
To argue briefly and pettily.
"The siblings spatted over the last slice of pizza."
How to use spat
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- spats
- Third person singular
- spats
- Past tense
- spatted
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for spat
See all rhymes for spat →Frequently asked questions
What does “spat” mean?
The word “spat” means a brief, minor argument or quarrel. In plain terms, a small squabble between people, or, in a completely different sense, baby oysters or a shoe covering.
How do you pronounce “spat”?
“Spat” is pronounced spat (/spæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “spat” in a sentence?
Here is “spat” used in a sentence: “The two roommates had a spat over whose turn it was to do the dishes.”
What part of speech is “spat”?
Depending on how it is used, “spat” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “spat” a common word?
“Spat” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spat” have?
“Spat” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brief, minor argument or quarrel.
