spent: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral - used across formal, informal, and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “spent” mean?
past tense and past participle of 'spend'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
past tense and past participle of 'spend'; used up, exhausted, or no longer having energy or power.
Refers to something that has been used completely (money, time, resources) or a state of physical/emotional exhaustion. Also used figuratively (e.g., a spent force).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Adjective use ('spent cartridge', 'spent force') is equally common. Slight preference in US English for 'spent' in financial contexts (e.g., 'spent funds').
Connotations
Identical. Both carry the same neutral-to-slightly-negative connotation of depletion.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English in passive constructions (e.g., 'The day was spent walking').
Grammar
How to Use “spent” in a Sentence
[S] spent [O] (on N/V-ing)[S] be spent (Adj)[S] have spent [O] (Adv/PP)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spent” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She spent the entire holiday in Cornwall.
- They've already spent a fortune on the renovation.
American English
- He spent last summer interning in Chicago.
- We spent too much on the car rental.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Tracking spent budgets or allocated funds.
Academic
Describing depleted resources or historical analysis (e.g., 'a spent political ideology').
Everyday
Talking about money, time, or feeling tired.
Technical
Referring to spent nuclear fuel, spent catalysts in chemistry, or spent ammunition.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spent”
- Using 'spended' (incorrect past form).
- Confusing 'spent' (adj) with 'spend' (v) in present tense (e.g., 'I am spent' vs. 'I spend').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's used for time, energy, resources, and ammunition. As an adjective, it describes a state of exhaustion.
They are often synonyms when describing fatigue. 'Spent' can be more final/complete, while 'exhausted' can be temporary. 'Spent' also has specific non-personal uses (e.g., spent fuel).
No. 'Spend' is the base form. 'Spent' is the past tense, past participle, or an adjective derived from it.
It's a legal term (mainly UK/Commonwealth) for a past conviction that, after a set period, is considered irrelevant and does not need to be disclosed.
past tense and past participle of 'spend'.
Spent is usually neutral - used across formal, informal, and technical contexts. in register.
Spent: in British English it is pronounced /spɛnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /spɛnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A spent force”
- “Spent like water”
- “Spent cartridge (figurative)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPENT candle – the wax is all used up, the wick is gone, and its light is extinguished.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE SUBSTANCES IN A CONTAINER (the container is now empty). ENERGY IS A FLUID (the fluid has drained away).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'spent' used as an adjective?