spoon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral. Common in everyday, culinary, and informal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “spoon” mean?
A utensil with a shallow bowl at the end of a handle, used for eating, stirring, or serving food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A utensil with a shallow bowl at the end of a handle, used for eating, stirring, or serving food.
Can refer to the action of transferring something with a spoon (verb), a unit of measurement in cooking (tablespoon, teaspoon), a piece of sports equipment (e.g., in golf, a type of club), or an affectionate posture where two people lie curled together (verb/noun).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal for the core noun. The verb 'to spoon' (cuddling) is slightly more dated/archaic in both but understood. The measurement 'tablespoon' may have slightly different standard volumes in official cooking contexts, but this is technical.
Connotations
In informal UK English, 'spoon' can be a mild, old-fashioned term for a foolish or simple person (e.g., 'He's a bit of a spoon'). This connotation is very rare in US English.
Frequency
The noun is extremely high frequency in both. The affectionate verb is low frequency and stylistically marked in both.
Grammar
How to Use “spoon” in a Sentence
spoon sth into/onto sthspoon sth outspoon (up) togetherVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spoon” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Pass me the pudding spoon, please.
- He won the wooden spoon for coming last in the tournament.
American English
- Can you grab a spoon from the drawer?
- She measured two spoons of vanilla extract.
verb
British English
- Spoon the jam onto the scones while they're still warm.
- The old couple would spoon by the fire.
American English
- Spoon the batter into the muffin tins.
- They spooned together under the blankets.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific catering/hospitality contexts.
Academic
Rare, except in historical/sociological contexts (e.g., discussing 'silver spoon' privilege) or in chemistry/biology for measuring.
Everyday
Very high frequency in domestic and food-related talk.
Technical
Used in culinary arts (measurements), metallurgy (a type of fracture pattern), and some sports (golf club design).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spoon”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spoon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spoon”
- Confusing 'spoon' with 'fork' (A1 level). Using 'a spoon of sugar' instead of the correct collocation 'a spoonful of sugar'. Incorrect preposition: 'spoon it in the bowl' instead of 'spoon it into the bowl'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but precisely defined as 'teaspoon' (tsp) or 'tablespoon' (tbsp). A generic 'spoon' is not a standard measure.
A ladle is a larger, long-handled spoon with a deep bowl, used for serving soups, stews, or punches.
In golf, it is an archaic term for hitting a ball with an upward scooping motion. In fishing, it can mean to fish with a spoon lure.
It is a metaphorical prize for finishing last in a competition, especially in UK and Commonwealth sports like rugby or rowing.
A utensil with a shallow bowl at the end of a handle, used for eating, stirring, or serving food.
Spoon is usually neutral. common in everyday, culinary, and informal contexts. in register.
Spoon: in British English it is pronounced /spuːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /spuːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “born with a silver spoon in one's mouth”
- “greasy spoon”
- “spoon-feed”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The word 'spoon' rhymes with 'moon'. Imagine a spoon scooping up a little piece of the moon (cheese).
Conceptual Metaphor
A SPOON IS A CONTAINER / TO SPOON-FEED IS TO MAKE SOMETHING EFFORTLESSLY DIGESTIBLE (information, privileges).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'to spoon-feed someone' mean?