noun
Common
spit
spiht
Spit (noun) means a thin rod used to skewer and rotate meat while it cooks over a fire. Example: “We cooked chicken on a spit over the campfire and turned it by hand.”
noun
1
A thin rod used to skewer and rotate meat while it cooks over a fire.
"We cooked chicken on a spit over the campfire and turned it by hand."
"The kebab shop had a large spit that turned slowly behind the counter."
"The whole pig turned slowly on a spit over the coals."
2
Saliva, especially when spat out.
"The baby had a little spit on her bib after feeding."
"The dentist gave me a tiny cup so I could rinse and get rid of the spit."
"He wiped the spit from his chin."
3
A narrow strip of sand or land jutting out into water.
"Seabirds gathered on a long spit of shingle that stretched into the bay."
"The lighthouse stands at the far end of a narrow spit of land."
"Fishermen waded out along the sandy spit at low tide."
verb
1
To forcefully eject saliva from the mouth.
"The footballer was criticised for spitting on the pitch during the match."
"He spat on the ground in disgust."
"Don't spit in public — it's rude and unhygienic."
2
To rain very lightly.
"It started to spit as we reached the car park, so we hurried inside."
"The sky turned grey and began to spit just before the picnic ended."
"It was only spitting outside, so we didn't bother with umbrellas."
3
Slang: to rap or perform lyrics skillfully.
"The young rapper could spit lines faster than anyone else at the open mic night."
"Watch him spit over that beat; his timing is perfect."
"She can really spit — her verses are packed with wordplay."
How to use spit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the rod meat is cooked on, saliva, or (informally) to eject saliva or perform rap lyrics.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "spite" (ill will) — they sound different but are easy to mistype.
Common pairings
spit on the ground
spit and polish
roast on a spit
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Word forms
- Plural
- spits
- Third person singular
- spits
- Past tense
- spitted, spat
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We cooked chicken on a _____ over the campfire and turned it by hand.
Etymology
The noun comes from Old English spitu, "rod for roasting meat," related to Dutch spit and German Spieß. The saliva-related senses come from a separate Old English root meaning to eject fluid from the mouth.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for spit
See all rhymes for spit →Frequently asked questions
What does “spit” mean?
The word “spit” means a thin rod used to skewer and rotate meat while it cooks over a fire. In plain terms, either the rod meat is cooked on, saliva, or (informally) to eject saliva or perform rap lyrics.
How do you pronounce “spit”?
“Spit” is pronounced spiht (/spɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “spit” in a sentence?
Here is “spit” used in a sentence: “The whole pig turned slowly on a spit over the coals.”
What part of speech is “spit”?
Depending on how it is used, “spit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spit” come from?
The word “spit” comes from Old English. The noun comes from Old English spitu, "rod for roasting meat," related to Dutch spit and German Spieß. The saliva-related senses come from a separate Old English root meaning to eject fluid from the mouth.
Is “spit” a common word?
“Spit” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spit” have?
“Spit” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin rod used to skewer and rotate meat while it cooks over a fire.
What is the difference between a spit and a skewer?
A spit is typically a long rod used to hold and rotate a whole piece of meat, such as a chicken or a pig, over a fire so it cooks evenly. A skewer is usually smaller and used for pieces of food, like in kebabs, and is not necessarily rotated. Spit-roasting implies continuous turning over heat, while skewering does not.
Why do people say "spit and image" or "spitting image"?
"Spitting image" is the modern form of an idiom meaning someone looks exactly like another person, as if they were spat out of the same mould. The saliva sense of spit is what the phrase draws on, describing an uncanny physical likeness. It is used informally in everyday speech.
Is "spit" used to describe light rain?
Yes, as a verb "spit" can describe rain falling very lightly, often in phrases like "it's just spitting outside." This is an informal, mostly British usage distinct from the sense of ejecting saliva. Context makes clear which meaning is intended.
What does it mean when someone says a rapper can "spit"?
In slang, to "spit" means to rap or perform lyrics skillfully, often with fast, fluent delivery. It is used as praise for a rapper's technical ability, as in "she can really spit." This usage is informal and common in hip-hop culture.
