英语词汇词典 | 单词含义、定义和示例
a utensil consisting of a small shallow bowl with a handle, used for eating, stirring, or serving food
"She stirred her coffee with a silver spoon."
A verbal error in which the initial sounds of words are swapped to create a humorous effect.
"He made a spoonerism by saying 'queer old dean' instead of 'dear old queen'."
Occurring irregularly or in scattered instances rather than continuously.
"The region experienced sporadic rain showers throughout the week."
an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment
"Football is a popular sport around the world."
Playful, lively, or full of fun.
"The children were in a sportive mood during the picnic."
A person who is skilled in sports or enjoys participating in athletic activities.
"He is a true sportsman, always fair and respectful to his opponents."
having spots or marks; noticed or seen
"The spotted leopard moved silently through the jungle."
a type of freshwater fish with spotted markings and an elongated head resembling a snake
"The spotted snake head is a popular fish for aquaculture in South Asia."
a person's husband or wife
"Each employee may include their spouse in the health insurance plan."
an injury to a joint in which the ligaments are stretched or torn
"She sprained her ankle while running in the park."
to apply liquid to something in a fine mist
"She sprayed perfume on her wrist before leaving."
to open or extend something over an area
"She spread the blanket on the grass for a picnic."
full of energy and life; lively
"The sprightly old man danced with joy at the wedding."
the season between winter and summer when plants begin to grow
"Flowers bloom in the spring."
to begin to grow; to produce new leaves or shoots
"The seeds began to sprout after a few days of rain."
to make neat or tidy in appearance; also refers to an evergreen tree
"He spruced up his room before the guests arrived."
active and lively, especially in old age
"The spry grandmother surprised everyone with her quick dance steps."
Froth or foam, especially found on waves or liquids.
"The waves crashed against the rocks, leaving spume in the air."
To encourage or motivate someone to take action.
"The teacher's praise spurred him to study harder."
Not genuine, authentic, or true; false or fake.
"The report was based on spurious claims."
To reject something or someone with disdain or contempt.
"She spurned his offer of help."
to secretly collect information about a person, group, or country
"He was caught spying on his neighbor through the window."
To argue noisily over something small or unimportant.
"The children squabbled over the last piece of cake."
a small group of people organized for a specific purpose or task, often in the military or sports
"The football squad trained hard before the championship match."
extremely dirty and unpleasant, often due to poverty or neglect
"He lived in a squalid room with broken furniture."
a sudden violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet
"A sudden squall caught the sailors off guard."
the state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially due to poverty or neglect
"They lived in squalor without basic facilities."
to waste something, especially money or time, in a reckless or foolish manner
"He squandered all his savings on gambling."
a shape with four equal straight sides and four right angles
"The table has a square shape."
Loyal, reliable, and hardworking; strongly built or sturdy.
"She has always been a stalwart supporter of the community."
Overly theatrical, artificial, or exaggerated in manner or style.
"Her performance felt stagy and unnatural."
Serious, respectable, and unadventurous.
"He came from a staid family background."
a step or set of steps leading from one level to another
"He tripped on the stair and fell down."
A share or interest in a business or venture; to risk or support something of value.
"He has a major stake in the new company."
A strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end, driven into the ground.
"The stakes were high for the success of the project."
no longer fresh; lacking originality or novelty
"The bread became stale after sitting out for three days."
A situation in which no progress can be made or no party can win.
"Negotiations ended in a stalemate."
to stop or cause to stop temporarily; a small shop or stand
"The car stalled on the way to the office."
An adult male horse that is not castrated, often used for breeding.
"The farm owns a powerful stallion for breeding purposes."
a person's attitude, opinion, or position on an issue
"The company took a strong stance on environmental protection."
A level of quality or attainment.
"Institutions must meet international standards."
to be in an upright position, supported by one's feet
"He stood by the window and looked outside."
a strong upright bar or post used as support or to control movement
"The red rope was attached to the stanchions to guide the crowd."
to stop the flow of blood or liquid from a wound or source
"The nurse quickly stanched the bleeding from the cut."
