spate

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈspeɪt/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/speɪt/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(spāt)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
spate /speɪt/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. a sudden, almost overwhelming outpouring:We were hit by a spate of criticism.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
spate (spāt),USA pronunciation  n. 
  1. a sudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring:a spate of angry words.
  2. British Terms
    • a flood or inundation.
    • a river flooding its banks.
    • a sudden or heavy rainstorm.
  • ?
  • late Middle English (north) 1400–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
spate /speɪt/ n
  1. a fast flow, rush, or outpouring: a spate of words
  2. chiefly Brit a sudden flood: the rivers were in spate
  3. chiefly Brit a sudden heavy downpour
Etymology: 15th Century (Northern and Scottish): of unknown origin
'spate' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
mudspate - torrent - vanity - soundalike

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "spate" in the title:


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