noun
spud
spuhd
Spud (noun) means informal word for a potato. Example: “He tossed a few spuds into the stew.”
noun
1
Informal word for a potato.
"He tossed a few spuds into the stew."
"Fish and chips just needs good spuds and fresh oil."
2
A narrow tool similar to a spade, used for digging out weeds or roots.
"She used a spud to lever the dandelion roots out of the lawn."
verb
1
To begin drilling an oil well.
"The crew spudded the new well early Monday morning."
How to use spud
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEveryday slang for a potato; also a small digging tool, and in the oil industry, to start drilling.
When to use it
The potato sense is informal, everyday slang.
Common pairings
a few spuds
spud gun
spud the well
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Word forms
- Plural
- spuds
- Third person singular
- spuds
- Past tense
- spudded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He tossed a few _____ into the stew.
Etymology
From a Middle English word for a small knife, probably related to Scandinavian words for a spear or spike; the potato sense may have started in Australian or New Zealand slang.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for spud
See all rhymes for spud →Frequently asked questions
What does “spud” mean?
The word “spud” means informal word for a potato. In plain terms, everyday slang for a potato; also a small digging tool, and in the oil industry, to start drilling.
How do you pronounce “spud”?
“Spud” is pronounced spuhd (/spʌd/ in IPA).
How do you use “spud” in a sentence?
Here is “spud” used in a sentence: “He tossed a few spuds into the stew.”
What part of speech is “spud”?
Depending on how it is used, “spud” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spud” come from?
The word “spud” comes from Middle English. From a Middle English word for a small knife, probably related to Scandinavian words for a spear or spike; the potato sense may have started in Australian or New Zealand slang.
How many meanings does “spud” have?
“Spud” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal word for a potato.
