spear
noun · verb · adjective
Simple meaning
An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
spirIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈspɪɹ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish
A lance with barbed prongs, used by fishermen to retrieve fish.
A long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
A long stick with a sharp tip used as a weapon for throwing or thrusting, or anything used to make a thrusting motion.
ice hockey
An illegal maneuver using the end of a hockey stick to strike into another hockey player.
A shoot, as of grass; a spire.
verb
transitiveby extension
To penetrate or strike with, or as if with, any long narrow object; to make a thrusting motion that catches an object on the tip of a long device.
intransitive
To shoot into a long stem, as some plants do.
transitive
To pierce with a spear.
Thrust up like a spear
“The branch speared up into the air.”
adjective
Pertaining to male family members.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate (estimated)
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Typical Use
- Neutral / general English
Share your sentence
Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A device resembling a sling that is used in various primitive societies to propel a dart or spear.
Thrust up like a spear.
The head and sharpened point of a spear.
A minor actor in crowd scenes.
European thistle with rather large heads and prickly leaves.
Asphodel with leafy stem and fragrant yellow flowers.
Related words
Connected by subject or meaning, not by word formation.
Semiaquatic European crowfoot with leaves shaped like spears.
Semiaquatic Eurasian perennial crowfoot with leaves shaped like spears.
Related Words
Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Use This Word
See how this word sounds in a real sentence.
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Use it yourself
Keep learning “spear” by choosing the kind of practice you need next.
- Practice sentence writingWrite sentences with vocabulary and get instant feedback.
- Practice in contextAnswer short vocabulary questions drawn from real situations.
- Review vocabularyTest your recall and strengthen words over time.
- Practice typingType vocabulary in short rounds that draw from words you've learned and saved.
Want to type words like this one without looking at the keyboard? Each typing round draws from words you've learned, saved or need to review. Follow the free Learn to Type lessons and type your own vocabulary with confidence.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.