noun
spate
spayt
noun
1
A sudden rush or outpouring of something, especially a large number of events happening close together.
"The city saw a spate of burglaries last winter."
"A spate of resignations left the department short-staffed."
2
A sudden flood, especially of a river swollen by heavy rain.
"The river was in spate after days of storms."
How to Use Spate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden burst of many things happening at once, or a river swelling with floodwater.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "spat," a small argument.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a spate of
in spate
a recent spate
Word Forms
spated past tense, spates plural, spates singular
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The city saw a _____ of burglaries last winter.
Etymology
From Middle English and Scots spate, "a flood," likely related to "spatter" and ultimately to the idea of water spitting or splashing forth.