spud: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “spud” mean?
A colloquial term for a potato.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colloquial term for a potato.
A tool with a narrow blade used for digging or weeding; also refers to a short, thick object or person, and the action of beginning to drill an oil well.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use 'spud' primarily for potato. 'Spud' as a digging tool is slightly more common in British gardening contexts. The verb 'to spud' (oil drilling) is international technical jargon.
Connotations
Informal and often affectionate for potato; can be humorous or slightly rustic.
Frequency
Moderately common in informal speech in both varieties, with 'potato' being the universal standard term.
Grammar
How to Use “spud” in a Sentence
plant/spud (verb) + spudspeel + a spuddig up + spudsspud (verb) + a wellVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spud” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gardener will spud out the weeds this afternoon.
- We should spud the potatoes before the frost sets in.
American English
- The crew is scheduled to spud the new well on Monday.
- He spudded the garden to prepare for planting.
adverb
British English
- He peeled the potatoes spud by spud.
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb)
American English
- The potatoes were cooked spud-style, right in the coals.
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb)
adjective
British English
- He's making a lovely spud pie for dinner.
- The spud harvest was excellent this year.
American English
- We're having a spud bar with all the toppings at the party.
- The spud casserole is a family favourite.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in agriculture or food industry contexts.
Academic
Rare; 'potato' or 'Solanum tuberosum' is preferred.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about food.
Technical
Used in oil drilling ('spud in' to start drilling) and horticulture (a type of digging tool).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spud”
- Using 'spud' in formal writing.
- Assuming 'spud' only means potato and not being aware of its tool/technical meanings.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'spud' is an informal, colloquial term. The standard formal word is 'potato'.
Yes, it can refer to a type of digging tool, a short thick object or person, and is also a verb in oil drilling meaning to start drilling.
It is used in both, with similar frequency and meaning for 'potato'. The tool sense might be slightly more common in British gardening.
It likely derives from the digging tool used to harvest potatoes, with the term transferring to the tuber itself in the 19th century.
A colloquial term for a potato.
Spud: in British English it is pronounced /spʌd/, and in American English it is pronounced /spʌd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “couch spud (a person who watches a lot of television)”
- “spud bashing (the chore of peeling potatoes, especially in the military)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SPEedy UDer digging up potatoes: SPUD.
Conceptual Metaphor
POTATOES ARE SIMPLE, EARTHY OBJECTS (e.g., 'He's a real spud' implying someone simple or unrefined).
Practice
Quiz
In the context of oil drilling, what does 'to spud' mean?