Spat vs. Spitted — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
"Spat" is the past tense of "spit," denoting the action of ejecting saliva or an argument. "Spitted" is the past tense of "spit" when referring to impaling food on a spit.
Difference Between Spat and Spitted
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Key Differences
"Spat" is used when describing a minor altercation or a past action involving ejecting saliva. For instance, "He spat out the bitter coffee." "Spat" can also indicate a disagreement, as in, "The couple had a spat about their vacation plans." On the other hand, "spitted" is the past tense of "spit" in the sense of impaling food, commonly meat, on a skewer or rod. For example, "The chef spitted the lamb and prepared it for roasting."
While "spat" is used metaphorically to refer to conflicts or as the past tense of ejecting saliva, "spitted" has a much narrower culinary meaning.
In terms of usage, "spat" is more versatile, appearing in both literal and figurative contexts. Conversely, "spitted" remains specific to cooking.
Comparison Chart
Verb Tense
Past tense of "spit" (saliva or dispute)
Past tense of "spit" (to impale food)
Context
Disputes or ejecting saliva
Cooking
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Figurative Usage
Minor altercation, argument
Rare in figurative usage
Commonness
More common
Less common
Example
"They had a spat over the project."
"He spitted the chicken on the skewer."
Compare with Definitions
Spat
A minor argument or quarrel.
They had a spat over where to eat dinner.
Spitted
To eject saliva forcibly.
It's rude to spit in public.
Spat
A type of gaiter worn over shoes in the past.
He polished his spats before leaving.
Spitted
Saliva ejected from the mouth.
The spit left a stain on the sidewalk.
Spat
Past tense of spit, to eject saliva.
The child spat out the medicine.
Spitted
Past tense of "spit," meaning to impale food for cooking.
The chef spitted the vegetables for roasting.
Spat
A past tense and a past participle of spit1.
Spitted
A rod or skewer used for cooking.
The spit rotated slowly over the open flame.
Spat
To engage in a brief quarrel.
Spitted
To thread or pierce with a skewer.
He spit the beef and set it over the grill.
Spat
To strike with a light spattering sound; slap.
Spitted
Saliva, especially when expectorated; spittle.
Spat
To slap.
Spitted
The act of expectorating.
Spat
A larva of an oyster or similar bivalve that has settled by attaching to a surface.
Spitted
Something, such as the frothy secretion of spittle bugs, that resembles spit.
Spat
A cloth or leather gaiter covering the shoe upper and the ankle and fastening under the shoe with a strap
The waiter wore spats as part of his uniform.
Spitted
A brief, scattered rainfall or snowfall.
Spat
A brief quarrel.
Spitted
(Informal) The perfect likeness
He's the spit and image of his father.
Spat
(Informal) A slap or smack.
Spitted
A slender, pointed rod on which meat is impaled for roasting.
Spat
A spattering sound, as of raindrops.
Spitted
A narrow point of land extending into a body of water.
Spat
Simple past tense and past participle of spit
There was no sink in the room so we spat out the window.
If I had known you had a spittoon in the corner I would never have spat on the floor.
Spitted
To eject from the mouth
Spat out the grape seeds.
Spat
(ambitransitive) To spawn. Used of shellfish as above.
Spitted
To eject as if from the mouth
A fire spitting sparks.
Spat
To quarrel or argue briefly.
Spitted
To emit suddenly and forcefully
Spat out an insult.
Spat
To strike with a spattering sound.
Spitted
To eject matter from the mouth; expectorate.
Spat
To slap, as with the open hand; to clap together, as the hands.
Spitted
To express contempt or animosity, especially by ejecting matter from the mouth.
Spat
The spawn of shellfish, especially oysters and similar molluscs.
Spitted
To make a hissing or sputtering noise
French fries spitting in the pan.
Spat
A juvenile shellfish which has attached to a hard surface.
Spitted
To rain or snow in light, scattered drops or flakes.
Spat
A covering or decorative covering worn over a shoe.
Spitted
To impale on or as if on a spit.
Spat
A piece of bodywork that covers the upper portions of the rear tyres of a car.
Spitted
Simple past tense and past participle of spitEtymology 1
Spat
(aviation) A drag-reducing aerodynamic fairing covering the upper portions of the tyres of an aeroplane equipped with non-retractable landing gear.
Spitted
(nonstandard) spit expectorate, etc, Etymology 2
Spat
A brief argument, falling out, quarrel.
Get into a trivial spat over punctuality
Have a vicious spat with the cousins
Spitted
Shot out long; said of antlers.
Spat
A light blow with something flat.
Spitted
Put upon a spit; pierced as if by a spit.
Spat
An obsolete unit of distance in astronomy (symbol S), equal to one billion kilometres.
Spitted
Shot out long; - said of antlers.
Spat
A young oyster or other bivalve mollusk, both before and after it first becomes adherent, or such young, collectively.
Spat
A light blow with something flat.
Spat
Hence, a petty combat, esp. a verbal one; a little quarrel, dispute, or dissension.
Spat
A legging; a gaiter.
Spat
A kind of short cloth or leather gaiter worn over the upper part of the shoe and fastened beneath the instep; - chiefly in pl.
Spat
To emit spawn; to emit, as spawn.
Spat
To dispute.
Spat
To slap, as with the open hand; to clap together; as the hands.
Little Isabel leaped up and down, spatting her hands.
Spat
A quarrel about petty points
Spat
A cloth covering (a legging) that provides covering for the instep and ankles
Spat
A young oyster or other bivalve
Spat
Come down like raindrops;
Bullets were spatting down on us
Spat
Become permanently attached;
Mollusks or oysters spat
Spat
Strike with a sound like that of falling rain;
Bullets were spatting the leaves
Spat
Clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
Spat
Engage in a brief and petty quarrel
Spat
Spawn;
Oysters spat
Spat
Clap one's hands together;
The children were clapping to the music
Common Curiosities
Is there any figurative meaning for "spitted"?
"Spitted" isn't commonly used figuratively; it typically describes cooking food on a skewer.
Can "spat" and "spit" both refer to arguments?
Yes, "spat" is often used for minor arguments, while "spit" is not typically used that way.
What parts of speech does "spitted" belong to?
"Spitted" is a verb, specifically the past tense of "spit" when referring to skewering food.
What is the main difference between "spat" and "spitted"?
"Spat" is the past tense of "spit," meaning to eject saliva or have an argument, while "spitted" is the past tense of "spit" used to describe impaling food for cooking.
How are "spat" and "spitted" pronounced differently?
"Spat" rhymes with "cat," whereas "spitted" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, like in "spit."
Is "spat" commonly used in formal writing?
"Spat" can be used in formal writing, particularly when discussing past incidents of spitting or minor disputes.
Is "spitted" still in common use today?
"Spitted" isn't commonly used in everyday language today, but it may appear in culinary contexts.
Can "spat" refer to cooking?
No, "spat" doesn't relate to cooking. It's used for ejected saliva or a minor quarrel.
What is the grammatical role of "spat" in a sentence?
"Spat" can function as both a verb and a noun, describing either the action of ejecting saliva or a brief quarrel.
Can "spat" be used as a present tense verb?
No, "spat" is exclusively the past tense of "spit"; the present tense is "spit."
What settings are most appropriate for using "spitted"?
"Spitted" is most appropriately used in culinary settings, describing the process of cooking on a spit.
What is the origin of the word "spat" when used as a noun for footwear?
The noun "spat," referring to a type of footwear, comes from the earlier 19th-century practice of wearing spatterdashes or spats to protect shoes from mud and rain.
What is an example of "spat" used in literature?
An example in literature might be, "In the novel, the characters spat angrily over their inheritance."
What are some synonyms for "spat" when used as a noun?
Synonyms for "spat" include quarrel, squabble, and tiff.
Is "spitted" considered archaic or still relevant in modern English?
While "spitted" is less common today, it is still relevant in specific culinary contexts but may be considered slightly archaic.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
