Saliva vs. Spit — What's the Difference?

A vital component in oral health. containing enzymes and proteins.

To eject saliva forcibly from one's mouth.

A clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands.

The act of expelling saliva or substances from the mouth.

The fluid that moistens the mouth and begins the process of digestion.

Saliva that has been expelled. especially as a sign of disrespect.

An important factor in taste perception.

A means to cleanse the mouth or respond to irritants.

A substance that aids in the swallowing of food.

A voluntary or involuntary expulsion of saliva.

Saliva (commonly referred to as spit) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. In humans, saliva is 98% water plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be extracted), enzymes (such as amylase and lipase), antimicrobial agents such as secretory IgA, and lysozymes.The enzymes found in saliva are essential in beginning the process of digestion of dietary starches and fats.

Saliva, especially when expectorated; spittle.

Watery liquid secreted into the mouth by glands, providing lubrication for chewing and swallowing, and aiding digestion.

The act of expectorating.

The watery mixture of secretions from the salivary and oral mucous glands that lubricates chewed food, moistens the oral walls, and contains ptyalin.

Something, such as the frothy secretion of spittle bugs, that resembles spit.

(physiology) A clear, slightly alkaline liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands, consisting of water, mucin, protein, and enzymes. It moistens the mouth, lubricates ingested food, and begins the breakdown of starches.

A brief, scattered rainfall or snowfall.

The secretion from the salivary glands.

(Informal) The perfect likeness

A clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches

A slender, pointed rod on which meat is impaled for roasting.

A narrow point of land extending into a body of water.

To eject from the mouth

To eject as if from the mouth

To emit suddenly and forcefully

To eject matter from the mouth; expectorate.

To express contempt or animosity, especially by ejecting matter from the mouth.

To make a hissing or sputtering noise

To rain or snow in light, scattered drops or flakes.

To impale on or as if on a spit.

A thin metal or wooden rod on which meat is skewered for cooking, often over a fire.

A generally low, narrow, pointed, usually sandy peninsula.

(uncountable) Saliva, especially when expectorated.

(countable) An instance of spitting; specifically, a light fall of rain or snow.

A person who exactly resembles someone else (usually in set phrases; see spitting image).

(uncountable) slam

The depth to which the blade of a spade goes into the soil when it is used for digging; a layer of soil of the depth of a spade's blade.

The amount of soil that a spade holds; a spadeful.

(transitive) To impale on a spit; to pierce with a sharp object.

(transitive) To use a spit to cook; to attend to food that is cooking on a spit.

(ambitransitive) To evacuate (saliva or another substance) from the mouth, etc.

(ambitransitive) To emit or expel in a manner similar to evacuating saliva from the mouth.

(impersonal) To rain or snow slightly.

(ambitransitive) To utter (something) violently.

(intransitive) To make a spitting sound, like an angry cat.

To rap, to utter.

(in the form spitting) To spit facts; to tell the truth.

To dig (something) using a spade; also, to turn (the soil) using a plough.

To plant (something) using a spade.

To dig, to spade.

A long, slender, pointed rod, usually of iron, for holding meat while roasting.

A small point of land running into the sea, or a long, narrow shoal extending from the shore into the sea; as, a spit of sand.

The depth to which a spade goes in digging; a spade; a spadeful.

The secretion formed by the glands of the mouth; spitle; saliva; sputum.

To thrust a spit through; to fix upon a spit; hence, to thrust through or impale; as, to spit a loin of veal.

To spade; to dig.

To attend to a spit; to use a spit.

To eject from the mouth; to throw out, as saliva or other matter, from the mouth.

To eject; to throw out; to belch.

To throw out saliva from the mouth.

To rain or snow slightly, or with sprinkles.

A narrow strip of land that juts out into the sea

A clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches

A skewer for holding meat over a fire

The act of spitting (forcefully expelling saliva)

Expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth;

Utter with anger or contempt

Rain gently;

Drive a skewer through;

Saliva is a digestive fluid produced in the mouth, essential for oral health and digestion.

Spit is the act of expelling saliva from the mouth or the expelled saliva itself.

While difficult to control directly, factors like hydration and certain medications can influence saliva production.

Yes, saliva neutralizes acids and provides minerals that protect against decay.

An average person produces about 0.5 to 1.5 liters of saliva daily.

Saliva contains enzymes that break down starches and fats, starting the digestive process.

Yes, saliva refers to the fluid produced in the mouth, while spit refers to saliva once it has been expelled.

Yes, spitting in public is often viewed as unhygienic and rude.

Conditions like dry mouth can significantly reduce saliva production, but complete cessation is rare.

Yes, saliva can be analyzed to detect various diseases, including viral and bacterial infections.

People may spit to expel unwanted substances, as a reflex, or as a cultural or emotional expression.

Saliva is essential for dissolving taste substances, allowing them to interact with taste receptors on the tongue.

Saliva contains enzymes like amylase and lipase, crucial for digesting starches and fats.

Spitting is often seen as a sign of disrespect or disgust, and it can spread germs.

Most animals do produce saliva, though its composition and purpose vary widely.