adj
Very common
spent
spehnt
Spent (adj) means used up completely; exhausted or depleted. Example: “After the marathon, she felt completely spent.”
adj
1
Used up completely; exhausted or depleted.
"After the marathon, she felt completely spent."
"They found a pile of spent shell casings at the scene."
"The battery was spent, so the torch gave no light at all."
2
Of a law or its provisions: no longer in effect because it has fully run its course.
"Once the deadline had passed, the temporary rule was spent and no longer applied."
"The lawyer explained that the old provision was spent and could safely be ignored."
"That clause of the act is now spent, having served its purpose years ago."
How to use spent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWorn out or used up, whether talking about energy, fuel, or an old law.
Common pairings
feel spent
spent force
spent fuel
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After the marathon, she felt completely _____.
Etymology
The past tense and past participle of "spend."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for spent
See all rhymes for spent →Frequently asked questions
What does “spent” mean?
The word “spent” means used up completely; exhausted or depleted. In plain terms, worn out or used up, whether talking about energy, fuel, or an old law.
How do you pronounce “spent”?
“Spent” is pronounced spehnt (/spɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “spent” in a sentence?
Here is “spent” used in a sentence: “After the marathon, she felt completely spent.”
What part of speech is “spent”?
“Spent” is an adjective.
Is “spent” a common word?
“Spent” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spent” have?
“Spent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used up completely; exhausted or depleted.
What is the difference between 'spent' and 'exhausted'?
The two overlap closely when describing depletion. 'Exhausted' most often describes a tired person — 'I'm exhausted.' 'Spent' can describe a person too, but it also readily describes things that are used up, like a spent battery or spent fuel. 'Spent' emphasises that all the usable energy or resource is gone.
What is an example of 'spent'?
A spent match has already been struck and can't be used again; a spent battery holds no charge. Of a person, 'after the marathon she was completely spent' means her energy was gone. In each case, whatever made the thing useful has been fully consumed.
Can a person be described as 'spent'?
Yes. Beyond objects like a spent match or battery, 'spent' vividly describes a person who has no energy left — 'by the final mile, the runners were completely spent.' It suggests every reserve of strength has been used up, a stronger image than simply saying 'tired.'
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