What does spits mean?
Spits is most often the third-person singular present tense of spit, meaning to eject saliva or another liquid from the mouth. It can also describe a machine or object that sprays liquid, smoke, sparks, or other material, as in an engine that spits smoke. Figuratively, the verb can indicate contempt: a person who spits at another person’s idea is openly dismissing or mocking it. As a plural noun, spits has several established but less frequent uses. It can refer to portions of saliva, long metal rods used for roasting meat or other food, and narrow projections or tongues of land extending into water. These nominal senses are ordinary dictionary meanings, although the plural forms may sound unusual in modern conversation. Overall, spits is a versatile form whose meaning depends chiefly on whether it is functioning as a verb or as the plural of the noun spit.
To eject saliva or another liquid, to spray liquid or small particles, or to express contempt for someone or something.
"The fountain spits water high into the air."
The expression “spit at” is figurative when it means to express contempt or hostility.
As a plural noun, spits refers to portions of saliva, long rods used for roasting food, or narrow pointed projections of land.
"The meat is slowly browning over metal spits."
The roasting-rod sense is especially common in British English, and the plural forms are less frequent in everyday modern usage.
Spits is the regular plural of the noun spit and may refer to portions of saliva, roasting rods, or narrow projections of land.
"Thin spits of land divide the lagoon from the open sea."
Add an s and one word covers three very different things: saliva, skewers for roasting, and narrow tongues of land.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of spits
The base word comes from Old English spītan, meaning “to spit” or “eject saliva,” and is inherited from Proto-Germanic *spītaną. Related English forms include spittle and spatter, while spout belongs to the same broader Proto-Germanic word family. The form spits itself is regular: it adds the third-person singular ending to the verb or the plural ending to the noun.
Related word forms
How spits is actually used
The verb is generally neutral in meaning, although using it toward someone can express contempt or hostility. The use for brief showers is more common in British English than in American English, while the plural referring to roasting rods is especially associated with British usage.
Easily confused with spits
Spit is the base form, while spits is its third-person singular verb form or the plural of the noun.
Spits refers to saliva, sprayed material, roasting rods, or narrow projections of land, whereas spots are small marks, stains, or locations.