Definition

1. Noun:

   • A piece of cutlery: A utensil consisting of a shallow, oval or round bowl at the end of a handle, used for eating, stirring, or serving food.
   • A spoonful: The amount that a spoon can hold, used as an informal unit of measure.
   • A type of golf club: (Archaic) A former type of golf club, typically a wood, with a slightly concave face.

2. Verb:

   • To lift or move with a spoon: To take up or transfer something using a spoon.
   • To lie close together: (Informal) For two people to lie on their sides, facing the same direction, with one person's front fitting against the other's back, resembling nested spoons.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She stirred her coffee with a silver spoon.
  • The recipe calls for two spoons of sugar.
• Verb:
  • He carefully spooned the soup into the bowl.
  • The couple liked to spoon while they slept.

Advanced Usage

• "To spoon-feed": To feed someone using a spoon; figuratively, to provide information or help in such a simple, excessive, or condescending way that requires no effort from the recipient.
  • The teacher refused to spoon-feed the answers to the students.

Variants and Related Words

• Spoonful (n): The amount a spoon holds.
  • He took a spoonful of medicine.
• Spoon-bait (n): A type of fishing lure shaped like a spoon.
• Spoonerism (n): A verbal error where initial sounds of words are swapped (e.g., "a well-boiled icicle" for "a well-oiled bicycle").

Synonyms

• Noun: Scoop, ladle (for serving spoons), tablespoon, teaspoon.
• Verb: Scoop, ladle; (for lying) snuggle, nestle.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Spoon out: To serve or remove something using a spoon.
  • She spooned out portions of stew for everyone.
• Spoon up: To eat something with a spoon.
  • He spooned up the last of his yogurt.

Related Idioms

• Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth: Born into a wealthy and privileged family.
  • He never had to work for anything; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
• To have a long spoon: To be cautious when dealing with dangerous or cunning people. (Often in the phrase "He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon.")
  • In these negotiations, you'll need a long spoon.

Noun

1. formerly a golfing wood with an elevated face
2. as much as a spoon will hold
   • he added two spoons of sugar
3. a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food

Verb

1. snuggle and lie in a position where one person faces the back of the others
2. scoop up or take up with a spoon
   • spoon the sauce over the roast