spat

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "spat" is a perfectly usable word in written English.
Generally, it is used as a verb, which means to have a sudden, brief quarrel or disagreement with someone or to strike something or someone. Example sentence: The couple had a spat about whose turn it was to take out the trash.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The diplomatic spat between Australia and PNG over the diplomatic post escalated shortly after the budget announcement, with Port Moresby angry it learnt of the move through the media.

The Guardian

A spat between the SDLP and working-class loyalists has ended up costing the taxpayer £300,000.

The Guardian

It was a diverting spat, but beneath its surface, complex power games were being played out.

The Guardian

In a small team of about 20 people, the slightest spat now plays out in public under a full media spotlight – including staff demands to turn the paper into a co-operative and criticisms of management's treatment of those suffering the fallout of death threats and grief.

The Guardian

"The knife in the back wound is starting to scab," he said of the spat.

The Guardian - Film

In her autobiography, Shakur details the conditions in which she was kept during the days that followed – her food was spat in, she was not allowed to contact a lawyer, and Zayd Malik's dead body was left lying next to her.

The Guardian - Books

Campaigner Paula Peters tells me she's been spat at in the street, while friends in wheelchairs have been shoved into oncoming traffic.

The Guardian - Opinion

That is partly what sparked the spat at the end of last week which saw the exit of Raheem Kassam, one of Mr Farage's closest advisers, who wanted Ukip to grow into something like a British version of the American Tea Party.

The Guardian - Opinion

The shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, claimed that Gove's public spat with May had exposed the government's failure to develop a proper anti-extremism strategy.

The Guardian

With order of a sort restored and the Germans ambling into the penalty area for the as yet untaken free-kick, Völler appeared to explain to his strike partner Klinsmann that he had been spat at, then took up his position.

The Guardian - Sport

These rules sometimes take on a life of their own: a debate in 2014 between two candidates to be governor of Florida ended up in a spat over one candidate's use of an electric fan under his podium.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spat" to describe a disagreement, ensure the context clarifies whether you mean a minor or significant conflict. Add adjectives like "heated" or "brief" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "spat" when you mean "spilt", the past tense of "spill". "Spat" refers to arguing or ejecting saliva, while "spilt" refers to accidentally pouring a liquid.

Linguistic Context

The word "spat" functions as both a noun, denoting a brief quarrel or disagreement, and a verb, indicating the past tense of "spit" or the act of engaging in a brief argument. Ludwig provides various examples of its usage in both contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "spat" functions as both a noun and a verb, commonly used to describe brief arguments or the act of spitting. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist. As a noun, it refers to a minor quarrel, while as a verb, it's the past tense of "spit". While generally acceptable, it's important to distinguish "spat" from "spilt" to avoid confusion. To enhance clarity in writing, specifying the nature (e.g., "heated spat") can be beneficial. It frequently appears in news and media, sports, and opinion contexts, indicating its relevance across diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiff

A light or trivial quarrel.

squabble

A noisy argument, often over petty matters.

row

A noisy and chaotic argument.

quarrel

A more general term for a heated argument.

bickering

Continuous petty arguments.

falling out

Suggests a break in a relationship due to a disagreement.

dispute

Implies a more formal or prolonged disagreement.

argument

A broad term for any kind of disagreement.

altercation

A noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public.

disagreement

A general term for a lack of consensus.

FAQs

How to use "spat" in a sentence?

The word "spat" can be used as a noun to describe a minor argument, or as a verb to describe the act of arguing or ejecting saliva. For example: "They had a minor spat over dinner plans" or "He spat on the ground in disgust".

What can I say instead of "spat" (argument)?

You can use alternatives like "quarrel", "tiff", or "squabble" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "spat" or "spilled"?

"Spat" and "spilled" are both correct, but have different meanings. "Spat" refers to a minor argument or the act of ejecting saliva, while "spilled" is the past tense of "spill", meaning to accidentally pour something out.

What's the difference between "spat" and "argument"?

While both "spat" and "argument" refer to disagreements, "spat" typically implies a brief and relatively insignificant quarrel, whereas "argument" can refer to a more serious or prolonged disagreement.