noun
spate
spayt
Spate (noun) means a sudden rush or outpouring of something, especially a large number of events happening close together. Example: “The city saw a spate of burglaries last winter.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- spates
- Third person singular
- spates
- Past tense
- spated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Related words
Rhymes for spate
See all rhymes for spate →Frequently asked questions
What does “spate” mean?
The word “spate” means a sudden rush or outpouring of something, especially a large number of events happening close together. In plain terms, a sudden burst of many things happening at once, or a river swelling with floodwater.
How do you pronounce “spate”?
“Spate” is pronounced spayt (/speɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “spate” in a sentence?
Here is “spate” used in a sentence: “The city saw a spate of burglaries last winter.”
What part of speech is “spate”?
“Spate” is a noun.
Where does the word “spate” come from?
The word “spate” comes from Middle English. From Middle English and Scots spate, "a flood," likely related to "spatter" and ultimately to the idea of water spitting or splashing forth.
How many meanings does “spate” have?
“Spate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden rush or outpouring of something, especially a large number of events happening close together.
