What does spatula mean?
A spatula is a broad, flat utensil used in the kitchen for stirring, mixing, spreading, scraping, lifting, and turning food. Its shape is especially useful for reaching beneath food, smoothing mixtures, and transferring soft substances without spilling them. The word can also describe flat applicators used for cosmetics, paint, or craft materials, although kitchen use is the dominant modern sense. Spatulas are commonly made from wood, silicone, metal, or heat-resistant plastic, and the choice often depends on the task: silicone is suitable for hot pans, while wood is gentle on coated surfaces. As a verb, “to spatula” means to move or apply something with a spatula, though this use is relatively uncommon. The word has a long history, deriving from Latin terminology for a broad blade and ultimately from Greek roots associated with broad, flat objects.
A broad, flat-bladed utensil used for stirring, mixing, spreading, lifting, or turning over food; by extension, a similar flat implement for applying cosmetics or other substances.
"He scraped the remaining batter onto the cake with a spatula."
The kitchen utensil is the most common sense. A cosmetic spatula or similar flat applicator is also common in beauty and craft contexts.
To move, turn, spread, or apply something using a spatula.
"She spatulaed the vegetables from the pan onto a serving plate."
This use is relatively uncommon and is especially associated with informal British English and cooking contexts.
The standard plural is “spatulas.”
"The bakery keeps a drawer full of wooden spatulas and whisks."
The word spatula comes from a long, flat Roman blade and still names one of the most useful tools in the kitchen.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spatula come from?
The English word comes from Latin spatula, a broad flat blade or strip, which was borrowed in the early 17th century for kitchen and household implements. Latin spatula was related to spatha, a broad sword or blade, and spatha in turn came from Greek spathe, meaning a broad blade or flat object. The modern cooking utensil developed alongside the use of flat, broad kitchen tools, while the word later extended to flat cosmetic applicators.
Related word forms
How spatula is actually used
In everyday use, spatula usually refers to the kitchen utensil. Cosmetic or crafting implements with the same general shape are also called spatulas. As a verb, spatula is less common and is used chiefly for moving, turning, or applying something with a spatula, especially in British and informal usage.