spitter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
rareinformal, technical (baseball)
Quick answer
What does “spitter” mean?
a person or thing that ejects liquid forcefully from the mouth or a machine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a person or thing that ejects liquid forcefully from the mouth or a machine
a baseball pitcher (US slang), a mechanical device for dispersing liquid, or someone who spits habitually
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, primarily literal; in US English, also baseball slang. 'Spitter' as chewing tobacco user is US-specific.
Connotations
UK: often negative/disgusting; US: baseball context can be neutral/technical.
Frequency
Uncommon in both varieties; slightly more frequent in US due to baseball usage.
Grammar
How to Use “spitter” in a Sentence
He is a chronic spitterThe spitter on the team threw an illegal pitchVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Everyday
Watch out for that spitter on the pavement
Technical
The umpire suspected the pitcher was using a spitter
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spitter”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spitter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spitter”
- Using as synonym for 'speaker'
- Overgeneralizing to mean any liquid dispenser
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's rare except in specific contexts like baseball or public health discussions.
Yes, occasionally for mechanical devices that eject liquid, but this is uncommon.
Usually yes, as it implies unhygienic behavior, unless in baseball context.
A spitter is the person/device; a spitball is the projectile (or the illegal baseball pitch).
a person or thing that ejects liquid forcefully from the mouth or a machine.
Spitter is usually informal, technical (baseball) in register.
Spitter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɪtə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɪtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “spitter and swallower (vulgar slang contrast)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
spit + -er (one who does); think of someone 'spitting' frequently
Conceptual Metaphor
AGENT AS SOURCE OF FLUID, PERSON AS MACHINE
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'spitter' a technical term?