What does spatulate mean?
Spatulate is a rare verb with two related uses. In practical contexts, it means to spread, smooth, or apply a substance with a spatula or another flat, broad-bladed tool. This sense is especially applicable to cooking, decorating, painting, and other work involving semi-fluid materials. In descriptive contexts, especially botany, “spatulate” can describe a shape that is broad and flattened, narrowing toward one end like a spatula. The word is more characteristic of formal, technical, or highly specific writing than of ordinary conversation. It is useful because it identifies both a specific tool-based action and a distinctive shape more precisely than broader words such as “spread” or “apply.”
To spread, smooth, or apply something with a spatula or similar flat tool.
"The frosting was spatulated over the cupcakes."
Commonly used in culinary, craft, or technical contexts.
To give something a broad, flattened shape resembling a spatula.
"The petal has a spatulate form, narrowing toward its base."
More common in botanical and morphological description than in general usage.
A rare verb for the precise culinary and craft practice of using a flat blade to spread, smooth, or shape a material.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spatulate come from?
The word was formed in English from “spatula,” with the suffix “-ate,” indicating an action or process. “Spatula” comes through Latin from the diminutive of “spatha,” a broad-bladed implement related to the Greek “spathē,” meaning a broad blade or splint. The English word developed in a tradition of Latin-derived vocabulary and was subsequently used both for spreading materials and for describing spatula-like forms.
Related word forms
How spatulate is actually used
This is an uncommon, formal or technical word. In culinary and craft contexts it describes using a spatula-like tool; in botanical or morphological description it refers to a spatulate shape.
Easily confused with spatulate
“Spatulate” means to spread or smooth with a spatula, whereas “spatulate” can also describe a shape resembling a spatula.