spilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'spilled' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used as a past-tense verb that means to pour out (as of a liquid) or to cause to be scattered or spread. For example, "She spilled her coffee all over the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maguire, on loan from Aberdeen, put Jimmy Calderwood's side ahead from close range in the 32nd minute after Paul Gallacher spilled a tame shot from Craig Bryson.

The Guardian - Sport

His early role in what would become Isis led naturally to the senior position he now occupies within a revitalised insurgency that has spilled across the border into Syria.

The Guardian

Like Stalin! Bill / Sorry - She was too hot in her bikini, and I accidentally spilled baby oil over us.

The Guardian

Backbench anger spilled into the open on Tuesday evening when the West Australian MP Dennis Jensen said he no longer supported the prime minister and the Queensland MP Mal Brough said Abbott did not have his unqualified backing, citing problems with policies such as the Medicare co-payment.

The Guardian

The truck that spilled its oil would make GDP go up because of all the spending to clean up the mess.

The Guardian

The fury spilled out on to the streets in June when tens of thousands marched through the capital in outrage over the appointment of Delyan Peevski, a well-connected media mogul, as head of the State Agency for National Security.

The Guardian

Plenty of ink has been spilled in recent weeks on exactly how racist the film industry may or may not be – including the furore over Cumberbatch's "coloured" gaffe – while industry insiders mutter that delayed delivery of DVD screeners played its part.

The Guardian - Film

Adama claims her employer paid her nothing for her work and deliberately spilled hot oil on her while she was cooking.

The Guardian

As the abbey loomed out of the darkness that first night, red and blue light spilled out through stained glass windows, throwing a ring of kaleidoscopic patterns on to the ground around it and giving the illusion of an ethereal stage.

The Guardian - Travel

Unable to lie, she spilled the beans, busting the whole sordid scheme wide open.

The Guardian - Opinion

In terms of the application side of things, obviously a bit spilled over from the game the previous week.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spilled" to describe abstract concepts like anger or divisions, ensure the context clearly indicates the figurative sense of something overflowing or becoming public.

Common error

Avoid using "spilled" in contexts where a more precise verb would be appropriate. For example, instead of saying "information spilled", consider using "information was revealed" or "information was leaked" to convey the intended meaning more accurately.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spilled" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "spill". It indicates an action that has already occurred, where something has overflowed or been unintentionally released. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this use is standard and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "spilled", as Ludwig AI confirms, is the past tense of the verb "spill", indicating something has overflowed or been unintentionally released. With a "Very common" frequency, it appears across diverse contexts, prominently in "News & Media" and "Sport", demonstrating its versatility. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to consider precision and context. For example, using "leaked" or "revealed" might be more appropriate than "spilled" in certain situations. Remember, Ludwig's examples, primarily from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist, showcase the broad applicability of "spilled", from literal spills to figurative expressions like ""spilled the beans"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Overflown

Implies a more complete or forceful overflowing.

Overflowed

Similar to "overflown", emphasizing exceeding capacity.

Poured out

Focuses on the action of pouring, suggesting a more controlled release.

Spurted out

Emphasizes a sudden and forceful ejection.

Leaked out

Suggests a gradual and unintended release.

Seeped out

Implies a slow and gradual leakage, often through a porous material.

Escaped

Implies a release from confinement or control.

Spread out

Focuses on the distribution over an area.

Run over

Suggests movement beyond a boundary.

Erupted

Suggests a violent and sudden outburst.

FAQs

How can I use "spilled" in a sentence?

"Spilled" is the past tense of "spill" and can be used to describe something that has overflowed or been released unintentionally. For example, "He "spilled the beans"" or "The milk "spilled on the floor"."

What can I say instead of "spilled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "poured out", "leaked", or "overflowed".

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

Both "spilled" and "spilt" are correct past tense and past participle forms of "spill". "Spilled" is more common in American English, while "spilt" is more common in British English.

What does it mean when someone says they "spilled the beans"?

To "spill the beans" is an idiom that means to reveal a secret or disclose confidential information. It's similar to saying someone "let the cat out of the bag".