noun

spear

speer

noun

A weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, used for thrusting or throwing.

"The ancient warriors carried spears and shields into battle."

A long, thin piece cut from a vegetable.

"She served asparagus spears with the salmon."

verb

To pierce with a spear or something similarly sharp and long.

"He speared a piece of chicken with his fork."

How to Use Spear

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA long pointed weapon, a long thin food piece (like an asparagus spear), or the act of stabbing something with a pointed object.

Common pairings

asparagus spear spear a fish throw a spear

speared past tense, spears plural, spears plural, Spears plural, spears singular

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The ancient warriors carried _____ and shields into battle.

From Old English spere, going back to a Proto-Germanic root for a pointed weapon; related to German Speer.

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