spoon
/spuːn/
A tool defined by its concave bowl and handle, designed for scooping, stirring, or eating liquid and semi-solid foods. It evokes a sense of domesticity, comfort, and nourishment.
In a physical context, it is the primary alternative to the fork or knife, specifically chosen when precision cutting or piercing is unnecessary and containment of fluid is required.
Metaphorically, 'spooning' refers to a specific intimate posture of cuddling where two people lie facing the same direction. This shifts the connotation from utility to warmth and emotional closeness.
In modern slang (specifically within chronic illness communities), "spoons" represents a finite unit of daily energy. To "run out of spoons" means having no remaining mental or physical capacity to perform tasks.
Countable when referring to the individual eating utensils found in a kitchen drawer.
💬Casual Conversation
Are you serious? No clean spoons again. I'm out here struggling.
Are you serious? No clean spoons again. I'm out here struggling.
Skill issue, sis. Just use your hands.
Skill issue, sis. Just use your hands.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
teaspoon
A small spoon used for stirring tea or coffee, or for measuring small quantities of ingredients.
Add a teaspoon of sugar to your coffee.
tablespoon
A larger spoon used for eating or serving food, or for measuring larger quantities of ingredients.
Measure out a tablespoon of olive oil.
soup spoon
A large spoon with a rounded bowl, used for eating soup.
He used a soup spoon to eat his consommé.
serving spoon
A large spoon used for serving food from a communal dish.
Pass me the serving spoon, please.
wooden spoon
A spoon made of wood, often used for cooking.
She stirred the sauce with a wooden spoon.
Phrasal Verbs
spoon feed
To feed someone with a spoon, especially a baby or an invalid.
The nurse had to spoon feed the patient.
spoon feed
To provide information or help in a way that requires very little effort or thought from the recipient.
The teacher felt like she was spoon feeding the students too much.
Idioms & Sayings
born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
Born into a wealthy family and having wealth and privilege from birth.
He never had to worry about money; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
spoon out
To serve food, especially liquid or semi-liquid food, using a spoon.
Can you spoon out some of the porridge for the baby?