spitting image

noun

plural spitting images
: someone or something that looks very much like someone or something else
Father then and son later are spitting images of each other.Norris McDonald
usually singular
Naimah was brown-skinned, slender, and neighbors said she was the spitting image of her mother.Debbie Chocolate
… a lovely … Oscar de la Renta dress, which was the spitting image of a similar one the late royal had worn previously.Megan C. Hill

Examples of spitting image in a Sentence

with the help of either movie magic or makeup, the actress appeared to be the spitting image of the queen
Recent Examples on the Web Moment The spitting image of her daughter Kaia while hosting a press conference to announce her line with JH Collectible Sportswear in 1990 in N.Y.C. 03 Oscar Worthy With then-husband Richard Gere at the 65th Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 1992. Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023 There were around 10 baby sea stars, each the spitting image of their parent, which like many starfish was probably hermaphroditic. Darren Incorvaia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2023 Some schools like Dallas ISD’s Molina — whose logo mirrors the Jacksonville Jaguars’ — use a spitting image of another franchise’s logo. Dallas News, 7 Nov. 2022 In fact, this bag is the spitting image of Blake Lively’s own favorite crossbody phone bag, but at a fraction of the price. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2023 State selling shipping containers used as border wall Goodyear residents voice concerns over McDonald's drive-thru Bolt: As cute as the cartoon and in need of foster home The spitting image of the cartoon pup he is named after, Bolt’s looks are certainly striking! The Arizona Republic, 30 June 2023 The 30-year-old son of Caroline Kennedy and grandson of President John F. Kennedy looks the spitting image of his uncle John F. Kennedy Jr. in a series of photos posted Tuesday. Tracey Harrington McCoy, Peoplemag, 31 May 2023 Now 16 years old, Kingston is the spitting image of his father. Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2023 Perry even enlisted the help of a professional makeup artist to have prosthetics applied to her face to become the spitting image of the former Secretary of State. Jacklyn Krol, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spitting image.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of spit and image

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spitting image was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near spitting image

Cite this Entry

“Spitting image.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spitting%20image. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

spitting image

noun
: perfect likeness
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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