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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

spoon en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • /spuːn/
  • [ˈspʊu̯n]
  • (General-American) audio
  • (Received-Pronunciation) audio

Etymology

From Middle English spoon, spoune, spone, spon (“spoon, chip of wood”), from Old English spōn (“sliver, chip of wood, shaving”), from Proto-West Germanic *spānu, from Proto-Germanic *spēnuz (“chip, flake, shaving”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peH- (“chip, shaving, log, length of wood”). Cognate with Scots spun, spon (“spoon, shingle”), West Frisian spoen (“chip”), Dutch spaan (“chip, flinders”), German Span (“chip, flake, shaving”), Swedish spån (“chip, flake”), Norwegian Nynorsk spon (“chip, spoon”), Faroese spónur (“wood chip; spoon”), Ancient Greek σφήν (sphḗn, “wedge”)(though the connection to the Greek is likely impossible by modern reconstructions of PIE). Eclipsed non-native Middle English cuculer, coclear (“spoon”), from Old English cuculer, cuceler, cucler, borrowed from Latin cochlear (“spoon”). The "metaphoric unit of personal energy" sense was coined by writer and disability advocate Christine Miserandino in 2003 (see spoon theory).

Meanings

  1. An implement for eating or serving; a scooped utensil whose long handle is straight, in contrast to a ladle.
    • He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil. c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
  2. An implement for stirring food while being prepared; a wooden spoon.
  3. A measure that will fit into a spoon; a spoonful.
    • While Ms. Fly was with Sharon in the kitchen, Sharon asked the defendant for a “spoon of drugs.” Defendant refused and stated that he did not know where drugs could be obtained. 1978, Illinois. Supreme Court, Reports of Cases at Law and in Chancery..., page 76:
  4. (archaic) A wooden-headed golf club with moderate loft, similar to the modern fairway wood.
  5. (slang) An oar.
    • To this class college rowing offers no attractions or place, nor are they generally looked upon by the artists of the "spoons" as a desirable addition […] 1877, The Country, volumes 1-2, page 339:
  6. A type of metal lure resembling the concave head of a tablespoon.
  7. (informal) A spoon excavator.
  8. A South African shrub of the genus Spatalla.
  9. (archaic, figuratively, slang) A simpleton, a spoony.
    • To get all the advantages of being with men of this sort, you must know how to draw your inferences and not be a spoon who takes things literally. 1872, George Eliot, “Chapter 23”, in Middlemarch:
  10. (US) A safety handle on a hand grenade, a trigger.
  11. (slang) A metaphoric unit of finite physical and mental energy available for daily activities, especially in the context of living with chronic illness or disability.
    • But if you're running low on spoons, take some time out to recharge. 2018, Donna Alward, Nancy Cassidy, Adulting 101: Writing Through Life and Other Adventures:
    • Once you're out of spoons for the day, that's it, no more energy. So when you get down to your last couple of spoons for the day, you have to decide, what's the priority? 2016, Tymber Dalton, Two Against Nature, page 86:
    • He has frequent dizzy spells. His friend has Asperger syndrome. Both relate and support each other when they have run out of spoons. 2018, Dennis J. DeWitt, Zoe Died. What Now?: Finding Hope in Times of Loss:
    • We therefore have to meticulously plan out each day with the small amount of spoons we have. Each task will cost us at least one spoon. 2014 March 12, “The Spoon Theory – Rationing my Legs & Energy”, in Spoonie Sophia, WordPress:
    • You work, and play, and clean, and love, and hate, and that's lots of damn spoons . . . but if you are young and healthy you still have spoons left over as you fall asleep and wait for the new supply of spoons to be delivered in the morning. 2015, Jenny Lawson, Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, page 241:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
spoons Number=Plur lexicographic

Coordinates

spork · ladle · fork · foon · knife

Deriveds

spoon worm · there is no spoon · spoon sweet · spoonful · earspoon · spoon chime · salad spoon · big spoon · deflagrating spoon · egg and spoon race · spoonist · spoon-hook · silver-spoon socialist · spoonwise · eat up with a spoon · spoons position · he who sups with the devil should have a long spoon · spoonbilled · love spoon · gag me with a spoon · spoon bread · spife · spoonbait · spoon-fed · spoon-winged lacewing · slotted spoon · absinthe spoon · spoonlike · spoonwing · dig one's grave with a fork and spoon · spoonmeat · spoon warmer · fopoon · spoonmaking · spoonplug · spoonula · table-spoon · butterspoon · spoon bowl · caddy spoon · spoon-bowl · slipper spoon · spork · sugar spoon · spoonbender · spoon oar · spoonwood · bar spoon · level spoon · little spoon · spoonie · spoon of Diocles · spoonflower · spoon receiver · apostle spoon · spoon-meat · spindrift · shoe spoon · born with a silver spoon in one's mouth · spoon mustard · spoonbread · greasy spoon · spoonbending · spoonbill · spoondrift · spubbler · spoonmaker · spoontray · spoonworm · serving spoon · eat something up with a spoon · spoonwort · monkey spoon · spoonless · spoon sled · spoodle · caviar spoon · silver spoon · tire spoon · spoonways · out of spoons · spoon hook · spoon straw · spoonable · ear-spoon · spoon rest · spoon-feed · spoon lure · ear spoon · baffing spoon · spoon theory · spoonload · fpoon · spoon knife

Hypernyms

silverware · tableware · flatware · utensil · cutlery · kitchenware

Hyponyms

tablespoon · saltspoon · soup spoon · egg spoon · parfait spoon · salt spoon · runcible spoon · teaspoon · dessertspoon · soupspoon · coffee spoon · grapefruit spoon · measuring spoon · dessert spoon · serving spoon · wooden spoon

Translations (387)

lld cazuol (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · tt кашык (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · rif taɣenjact (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · es cuchara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ur چَمَّچ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · th ช้อน (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · af lepel (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · el κουτάλι (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · hy գդալ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ta கரண்டி (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · lg lokelé (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · grc κοχλιάριον (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · tl kutsara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · pdt Läpel (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · gd spàin (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · so qaaddo (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · co cuchjaru (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sei eenm haxöl (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · liv kōj (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · non sponn (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sk varecha (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · bbl ჺაბიკ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kl alussaat (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh 魚漂 /鱼漂 (metal lure for fishing) · id sendok (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ru ло́жечка (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · bg лъжи́ца (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sh lažica (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sk vareška (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · vro luits (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zdj sutru (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fa قاشُق (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mrj савала (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kxd sudu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · krl luzikku (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ko 숟가락 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · orv лъжька (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · lut spud (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · lt šaukštas (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · crh qaşıq (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kac zun (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · km ស្លាបព្រា (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · is spúnn (metal lure for fishing) · gl garfela (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · myv пенч (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · cu лъжица (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ak atere (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mfe kouyer (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · it cucchiaio (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ja(scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fa چُمْچَه (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · acm خَاشُوقَة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mas ol-kurtét (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · abq мхӏа́чӏва (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · pcd culière (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · inh ӏаг (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · rsk ложка (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ti ማንካ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ckt вонны (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · tg қошуқ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mn халбага (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh фәзы (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · wym łeffuł (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar معلقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mn ᠬᠠᠯᠪᠠᠭ᠎ᠠ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · arq مغرف (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · eo kulero (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ro lingură (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kg nzalu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · rhg camic (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh 匙子 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar مِلعَقَة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · akz lapihchosi (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sq lugë (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · hu kanál (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar خَاشُوقَة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · bcl kutsara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · esu luuskaaq (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · udm пуньы (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · rom rroj (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sh kašika (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · yue 調羹 /调羹 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · oc culhièr (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mr चमस (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · pt colher (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · apd معلقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · vo spunil (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kjh самнах (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · tzm ⵜⴰⵖⵏⵊⴰⵡⵜ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · bg блесна́ (metal lure for fishing) · fur sedon (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · tr kaşık (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh 匙仔 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mey كد (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mr दर्वी (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · chr ᎠᏗᏙᏗ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ckb کەوچک (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · nn skei (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · am ማንካ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · moh atókwa (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · rm tschadun (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar خَاشُوقَة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · de Löffel (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ca cullera (metal lure for fishing) · fa چَمْچِه (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kpv пань (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · aa dawwaar (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mnw ဇန် (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sga líach (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sv sked (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · an cullara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ayl كاشيك (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · luo ojiko (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh 調羹 /调羹 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sce shozi (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fa کَفْچِه (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · arn wixü (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh 湯匙 /汤匙 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · nb skei (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sk lyžica (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ps کاچوغه (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · alt калбак (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · gl culler (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ln ekijiiko (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · za beuzgeng (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sh лaжица (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · cic folosh (implement for stirring food) · bm kutu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · lo ບ່ວງ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zza çemçık (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · oj emikwaanens (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · aii ܡܲܛܥܸܡܬܵܐ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh 湯匙 /汤匙 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ang spōn (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar خَاشُوقَة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sip སྐྱོགས (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · aeb مغرفة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ka კოვზი (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · tkl hipuni (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · pdt Läpel (implement for stirring food) · mba kutsara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · se baste (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · hi चम्चा (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · br loa (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sh кашика (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · hi दर्वि (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · el κουτάλι (metal lure for fishing) · ml തവി (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar عشقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kn ಚಮಚ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · xmf კიზი (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar معلقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · izh lusikka (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · yua maskab k'ab (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ga spiún (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · acx خاشوقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sw mwiko (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kix tsàp (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ab амҳаҵә (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · cop ⲙⲩⲥⲑⲏⲣ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zlw-ocs lžícě (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kaa qasıq (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · xh icephe (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · krc къашыкъ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fa قَاشُق (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ru ло́жка (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ars ملعقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zza koçık (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · li lepel (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · jur karaxu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sv slev (implement for stirring food) · qu wislla (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · rue ло́жка (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sat ᱪᱚᱢᱚᱪ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ga spúnóg (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · hy դգալ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · szl łyżka (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · pa ਚਮਚਾ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ja(scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · shn ၸေႃႉ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mww diav (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fi lusikka (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · vec cuciàro (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · lad kuchara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kxd sinduk (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar مِلعَقَة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sjd пасьтэмь (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ayp خَاشُوقَة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sd چَمْچو (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · lmy sodeka (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mr दर्वि (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · hsb łžica (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · bm kuyɛri (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · os уидыг (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · av бугъун (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · gu ચમચી (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · tyv омааш (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar مِلْعَقَة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · wym łefuł (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · gu ચમચો (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sa दर्वी (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · et lusikas (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · de Löffel (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · dsb łžyca (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · pl łyżeczka (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · cjs қажық (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sah хамыйах (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fa کَمْچِه (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ady джэмышх (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar ملعقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · xal ухр (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ain パラパスイ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mi pune (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fy spoen (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mdh salidut (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · uk ло́жка (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · bn চামচ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fi kapusta (implement for stirring food) · lv karote (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mr चमचा (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh 勺子 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · dz ཐུར་མ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fy leppel (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kmr kefçî (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mk ла́жица (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · rw ikiyiko (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sw kijiko (metal lure for fishing) · fi uistin (metal lure for fishing) · goh spanna (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sh ližka (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · gag kaşık (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sma buste (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mdf куцю (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · see adogwaʼshäʼ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · nv bééshʼadeeʼ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · co cascica (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · vi thìa (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · te చెమ్చా (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ml സ്പൂണ് (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ig ngajị (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zdj mkoɓe (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ky кашык (implement for stirring food) · sah ньуоска (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · wuu 調羹 /调羹 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mrw saridot (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ceb kutsara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · be лы́жка (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · nl lepel (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · yo ṣíbí (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ce ӏайг (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ofs spon (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · io kuliero (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sh жлица (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · aii ܟ̰ܲܡܟ̰ܵܐ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · wo kuddu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh(scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · nv adeeʼ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · he כַּף (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · rmf roi (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · pl łyżka (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · luy sichiko (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mhn leffl (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · av гъуд (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · txu karaxu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ln lutu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fa چُمْچِه (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · grc μύστρον (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · dlg луоску (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mhr совла (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · id sudu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · uk бле́шня (metal lure for fishing) · kum къашыкъ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ca cullera (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ja スプーン (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ro lingură (metal lure for fishing) · hi चम्मच (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · cs lžíce (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · hi दर्वी (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kk қасық (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · yue(scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sl žlica (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ia coclear (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · az qaşıq (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · eu goilare (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mg sotro (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kbd лошкӏэ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ota قاشیق (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · arc ܬܪܘܕܐ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ta ஸ்பூன் (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fo spónur (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mba salidot (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · vo spun (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · abv خَاشُوقَة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sa दर्वि (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ba ҡалаҡ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · gv spein (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · huv cochar (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fo skeið (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · wa coyî (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · tli shál (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · st kgaba (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · pap kuchara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar زلفة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ayn ملعقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · eu koilara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · akz lapihchi (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ru блесна́ (metal lure for fishing) · ha cōkàlī (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · la cochleārium (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · dta somugw (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh фәфәр (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ug قوشۇق (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fr cuiller (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sh žlica (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mzn کچه (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · rw yiko (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mt mgħarfa (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ckt рилӄунэӈ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · as চামুচ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · yue 匙羹 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · te గాలము (metal lure for fishing) · fa قاشِق (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · lzz კუზი (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · oc culhèr (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar معلقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sva ყო̄შ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · haw puna (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar معلقة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · vep luzik (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mbf senduk (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · wa coyire (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · uz qoshiq (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · cy llwy (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ur چَمْچَہ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · vi muỗng (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · aap karatju (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · lg lútu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · acx مقمشة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · el κουταλάκι (metal lure for fishing) · sa चमस (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · bal چمچہ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · da ske (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ne चम्चा (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zza kefkir (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · mas en-kijíko (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · hi चमस (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · aqc чӏакъв (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · iu ᐊᓘᑦ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zu isipunu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · si හැන්ද (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · fr cuillère (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ktu lutu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · bo ཁེམ་བུ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · aji kùyèè (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sw kijiko (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sh лижка (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ky кашык (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · yah ќебҷ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sva კიზ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ms sudu (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · alt кожык (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · yi לעפֿל (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · aii ܬܲܪܘܵܕ݂ܵܐ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sa दर्वि (implement for stirring food) · ml കരണ്ടി (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · zh фәфәзы (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · tk çemçe (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ast cuyar (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ltg lizeika (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ko 스푼 (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · pl wahadłówka (metal lure for fishing) · fa چَمْچَه (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · co cuchjara (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ovd stjieð (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · gun kuxa (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · nb skje (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · oj emikwaanens (implement for stirring food) · my ဇွန်း (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · or ଚାମଚ (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · om fallaana (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · lb Läffel (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · kw lo (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · cic folosh (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · orv лъжица (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · is skeið (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · sk lyžička (scooped utensil for eating (or serving)) · ar قفشة (scooped utensil for eating (or serving))

spoon en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • /spuːn/
  • [ˈspʊu̯n]
  • (General-American) audio
  • (Received-Pronunciation) audio

Etymology

From Middle English spoon, spoune, spone, spon (“spoon, chip of wood”), from Old English spōn (“sliver, chip of wood, shaving”), from Proto-West Germanic *spānu, from Proto-Germanic *spēnuz (“chip, flake, shaving”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peH- (“chip, shaving, log, length of wood”). Cognate with Scots spun, spon (“spoon, shingle”), West Frisian spoen (“chip”), Dutch spaan (“chip, flinders”), German Span (“chip, flake, shaving”), Swedish spån (“chip, flake”), Norwegian Nynorsk spon (“chip, spoon”), Faroese spónur (“wood chip; spoon”), Ancient Greek σφήν (sphḗn, “wedge”)(though the connection to the Greek is likely impossible by modern reconstructions of PIE). Eclipsed non-native Middle English cuculer, coclear (“spoon”), from Old English cuculer, cuceler, cucler, borrowed from Latin cochlear (“spoon”). The "metaphoric unit of personal energy" sense was coined by writer and disability advocate Christine Miserandino in 2003 (see spoon theory).

Meanings

  1. To serve using a spoon; to transfer (something) with a spoon.
    • Sarah spooned some apple sauce onto her plate.
    • Talbot champed away, finally spooning in resignation with the tinned fruit salad, calm of mind reached with the last piece of cheese, all passion spent in the third drained coffee-cup. 1958, Anthony Burgess, The Enemy in the Blanket (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 365:
    • Spoon the yogurt sauce over the vegetables on the sheet pan. 2022, Melissa Clark, Dinner in One, →ISBN, page 49:
  2. (dated, intransitive) To flirt; to make advances; to court, to interact romantically or amorously.
    • Do you think we spoon and do? We only talk. 1913, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter 7, in Sons and Lovers, London: Duckworth & Co. […], →OCLC:
    • By the light of the silvery moon, / I want to spoon, / To my honey I'll croon love's tune, […] 1909, “By the Light of the Silvery Moon”, Ed[ward] Madden (lyrics), Gus Edwards (music), New York, N.Y.: Gus Edwards Music Pub Co, →OCLC, pages 4–5:
  3. (informal, intransitive, of persons, transitive) To lie nestled front-to-back, following the contours of the bodies, in a manner reminiscent of stacked spoons.
  4. (broadly, informal, intransitive, of persons, transitive) To lie nestled front-to-back, following the contours of the bodies, in a manner reminiscent of stacked spoons. ▸ To have sex in such a position.
  5. (qualifier:croquet) To hit (the ball) weakly, pushing it with a lifting motion, instead of striking with an audible knock.
    • Law is in the field; the Criminal at the wicket. If Law makes a mistake—sends down a loose ball or drops a catch—the Criminal scores a little or has another lease of life. But if he makes a mistake—if he lets a straight ball pass or spoons towards a steady man—he is done for. 1914, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados:
    • Rosol spurned the chance to finish off a shallow second serve by spooning into the net, and a wild forehand took the set to 5-4, with the native of Prerov required to hold his serve for victory. 2012 June 28, Jamie Jackson, “Wimbledon 2012: Lukas Rosol shocked by miracle win over Rafael Nadal”, in the Guardian:
  6. (intransitive) To fish with a concave spoon bait.
  7. (transitive) To catch by fishing with a concave spoon bait.
    • He had with him all the tackle necessary for spooning pike. 1888, Mrs. Humphry Ward, Robert Elsmere:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
spoons Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
spooned Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
spooned Tense=Past lexicographic
spooning Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Deriveds

big spoon · spoon out · little spoon · spoon-feed · spooner · spoon off

Relateds

cutlery · silverware · ladle

Translations (23)

pl łyżeczkować (to lie together) · gv spein (to serve using a spoon) · sv skeda (to lie together) · pt fazer conchinha (to lie together) · fi uistella (to fish with a concave spoon bait) · fi nukkua lusikassa (to lie together) · es cucharear (to serve using a spoon) · sw kijiko (to lie together) · es servir con una cuchara (to serve using a spoon) · sv sleva (to serve using a spoon) · es echar con una cuchara (to serve using a spoon) · ms menyudukan (to serve using a spoon) · da ligge i ske (to lie together) · af lepellê (to lie together) · fi lusikoida (to serve using a spoon) · zh 抱睡 (to lie together) · de Löffelchen schlafen (to lie together) · fi uistella (to catch by fishing with a concave spoon bait) · es cucharear (to lie together) · eo kulerumi (to lie together) · nl lepeltje-lepeltje liggen (to lie together) · pt deitar de conchinha (to lie together) · gv nuiddree (to lie together)

spoon en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • /spuːn/
  • [ˈspʊu̯n]
  • (General-American) audio
  • (Received-Pronunciation) audio

Etymology

Uncertain. Compare spoom.

Meanings

  1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of spoom.
    alt of spoom
    • We might have spooned before the wind as well as they. 1666 August 11 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Samuel Pepys, Mynors Bright, transcriber, “August 2nd, 1666”, in Henry B[enjamin] Wheatley, editor, The Diary of Samuel Pepys […], volume V, London: George Bell & Sons […]; Cambridge: Deighton Bell & Co., published 1895, →OCLC:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
spoons Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
spooned Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
spooned Tense=Past lexicographic
spooning Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Deriveds

spoon-drift

Translations (4)

sw kijiko (sailing terminology) · te లంగరు (sailing terminology) · nl laveren (sailing terminology) · es cuchara (sailing terminology)