spindrift: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, descriptive, nautical
Quick answer
What does “spindrift” mean?
Spray blown from the crests of waves by the wind.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Spray blown from the crests of waves by the wind.
Fine, wind-driven spray of any liquid; can be used metaphorically to describe something light, scattered, or fleeting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is used in both varieties, but may be slightly more common in UK English due to historical maritime literature. 'Spindrift' is standard; 'spoondrift' is a rare, archaic variant.
Connotations
Literary, evocative, picturesque. Carries a romantic or dramatic connotation of nature's power and beauty.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions; mostly confined to literary, descriptive, or nautical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “spindrift” in a Sentence
The [wind] drove the spindrift [into/against] [object].Spindrift [verb, e.g., flew, stung, coated].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spindrift” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The spindrift-laden air tasted of salt.
- A spindrift haze obscured the horizon.
American English
- The spindrift-filled gust chilled them.
- They watched the spindrift spray from the cliff.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis or descriptive geography.
Everyday
Very rare; would sound unusually poetic.
Technical
Used in nautical/meteorological descriptions to specify wind-driven spray as distinct from general splash.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spindrift”
- Confusing it with 'surf' or 'spray' which are more general. Using it for spray not caused by wind.
- Misspelling as 'spyndrift' or 'spindrif'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a specific type of sea spray: the fine spray that is actively blown by the wind from the crests of waves. Not all sea spray is spindrift (e.g., spray from a crashing wave against rocks might not be wind-driven).
Its primary and literal meaning is maritime. However, it can be used metaphorically for any fine, wind-driven particles (e.g., 'spindrift of sand') or poetically in other contexts, but this is less common.
In British English: /ˈspɪndrɪft/ (SPIN-drift). In American English: /ˈspɪnˌdrɪft/ (SPIN-drift), with a slightly clearer secondary stress.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized word. You will most likely encounter it in literary works, nautical writing, or poetic descriptions of the sea. It is not used in everyday conversation.
Spray blown from the crests of waves by the wind.
Spindrift is usually literary, descriptive, nautical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'spindrift']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SPIN + DRIFT: the wind SPINs the spray, and it DRIFTs through the air.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/CHAOS IS A STORM (e.g., 'a spindrift of thoughts').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'spindrift' most appropriately used?