spade

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈspād 

1

: a digging implement adapted for being pushed into the ground with the foot

2

: a spade-shaped instrument

spadeful

ˈspād-ˌfu̇l 

noun

spade

2 of 3

verb

spaded; spading

transitive verb

: to dig up or out or shape with or as if with a spade

intransitive verb

: to use a spade

spader noun

spade

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

a

: a black figure that resembles a stylized spearhead on each playing card of one of the four suits

also : a card marked with this figure

b

spades plural in form but singular or plural in construction : the suit comprising cards marked with spades

2

offensive

—used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a Black person

Phrases

in spades

: to an unusually great degree : in the extreme

Examples of spade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Dim lighting, moody music, elegant decor, and an element of mystery are the prevailing requisites for a romantic table for two—and the 26 destinations ahead (both established and newly opened) deliver that in spades. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024

Having access to medication isn’t a trivial matter, and technology literally delivers access in spades. —Steven Aquino, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

West led the ace of spades, and Moses wondered how the defense would win three tricks, given the strong North-South auction. —Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2024

Bright Future makes a big promise with it’s title; fortunately for us, Lenker delivers in spades. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024

So the really coveted thing is great writing, and Mike White certainly offers that in spades, as well as really incredible direction. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024

Bissell Little Green Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, $98 (Save 21%) Best Apple Deals Apple devices are on sale in spades at the moment. —Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024

This last realization came home in spades to me on a winter day when Anton was 6. —Robert Klose, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar. 2024

To pass might be right, but your raise to three clubs was based more on distribution than on sound high-card values, and if partner has something in spades, the defenders may attack hearts successfully. —Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024

Verb

Use a spading fork to dig tubers on a sunny day when the soil is dry. —Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 29 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, going back to Old English spadu, spædu, spade (plural spadan), going back to Germanic *spaðōn- (whence also Old Saxon spado "digging implement, spade," Old Frisian spada, early Modern German Spaten, Icelandic spaði), akin to Greek spáthē "any of various blade-like implements or objects," both going back to Indo-European *sph₂-dh-, perhaps a suffixed derivative of the verbal base *speh₂- "draw, pull out" — more at spasm

Note: Hittite išpann-, išpatar "spit, skewer" has also been compared, though according to Jaan Puhvel the stem would reflect *speh₂-tr- rather than *speh₂-dhr- (see Hittite Etymological Dictionary, vol. 1/2, pp. 450-51). Probably also relevant are Sanskrit sphya- "shoulder blade," Khotanese phvai "spade, shovel," perhaps reflecting *sph₂-i-o- (for further Indo-Iranian forms see Manfred Mayrhofer, Kurzgefasstes etymologisches Wörterbuch des Altindischen, 3. Band, p. 547; H.W. Bailey, Dictionary of Khotan Saka, Cambridge, 1979, p. 264).

Verb

verbal derivative of spade entry 1

Noun (2)

Italian spada or Spanish espada broadsword; both from Latin spatha, from Greek spathē blade

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1647, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

circa 1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing spade

• spade beard
• call a spade a spade

Kids Definition

spade

1 of 3 noun

ˈspād 

1

: a digging tool like a shovel made so that it can be pushed into the ground with the foot

2

: a spade-shaped instrument

spadeful

-ˌfu̇l 

noun

spade

2 of 3 verb

spaded; spading

: to dig with or use a spade

spade

3 of 3 noun

1

: a black figure resembling an inverted heart with a short stem at the bottom used to indicate a suit of playing cards

2

: a card of the suit of spades

Etymology

Noun

Old English spadu "a digging tool"

Noun

from Italian spada or Spanish espada, both meaning "broad sword" and both from Latin spatha "blade"