WordGarden.iospoon
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /spˈuːn/
US
- /ˈspun/
Meanings
Noun
a utensil with a small bowl and handle used for eating, stirring, or serving
Verb
to lift, serve, or eat food with a spoon
to lie close against someone in a curled position for affection or sleep
Beyond the definition
A spoon isn't just something you use to eat soup. It is a simple tool with a shallow round end and a handle, made for lifting liquids or soft foods to your mouth. Think about stirring sugar into tea, scooping ice cream, or measuring ingredients while baking. All of these are common uses for a spoon.
But "spoon" can also be used in figurative ways. To "spoon-feed" someone means to give so much help or information that they do not need to think for themselves. People also say someone was "born with a silver spoon in their mouth," meaning they were born into wealth and privilege. So, the next time you see a spoon, remember that it is more than just a tool for eating. It can also suggest care, ease, and social position.
The humble spoon is one of humanity's oldest tools, predating forks and knives by millennia. Originally crafted from shells, wood, or bone, spoons have evolved into the diverse array of metal, plastic, and ceramic versions we know today. At its core, a spoon serves as an implement for scooping, stirring, and conveying substances—primarily food and liquids—to the mouth. From delicate teaspoons used for coffee to large serving spoons for dishing out meals, their size and shape vary depending on their specific purpose.
However, the word "spoon" extends far beyond the kitchen table. In cooking, a "tablespoon" or "teaspoon" is a standard unit of measurement, crucial for following recipes accurately. Beyond the culinary world, you might hear about "spoon-feeding" information, which means presenting it in an overly simplified way, as if the recipient needs to be fed directly. The word also functions as a verb in a romantic context: "spooning" describes two people lying close together, facing the same direction, tucked into each other like stacked spoons.
The idiom "born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" paints a picture of privilege and inherited wealth, suggesting someone has had advantages since birth. You may also encounter the ancient proverb, "He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon," which warns a person to maintain a cautious distance when dealing with dangerous or untrustworthy individuals.
Whether you are enjoying a bowl of cereal, carefully measuring ingredients for a cake, or discussing social inequalities, the word "spoon" carries a surprising amount of cultural and practical weight—proving that even the simplest tools can have complex meanings.
Examples
- 1
Drink
She stirred her coffee with a spoon.
- 2
Table request
Can you pass me a clean spoon?
- 3
Cutlery
There were plenty of forks, but no spoons left.
- 4
Serving food
He spooned rice onto my plate and told me to eat more.
- Patternspoon + food + onto/into + place
move food with a spoon
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Serving sauce
She spooned a little sauce over the fish.
- 6
Learning support
The teacher gives us hints, but she doesn't spoon-feed us.
- Phrasespoon-feed someone
give so much help that they do not need to think for themselves
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- spoonnounverb
Forms
- spoonspluralnounverb
- spooning-ing formverbnoun
- spoonedpast tenseverbnoun