Definition

A sudden large amount or rush of something, often used to describe a flood of water or a large number of events or things happening at once.

Example

After the heavy rain, there was a spate of flooding in the town.

Conversation

Did you hear about the recent spate of rain we had last week?

Yeah, it caused quite a bit of flooding in some areas.

I know! It was surprising to see a sudden spate of storms like that.

Definitely! I hope it doesn’t happen again anytime soon.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'spate' originates from the Old English 'spæt', meaning a sudden flood or rush of water. It refers to a sudden outpouring or a large number of something occurring at once.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sudden 'rush' of water, as 'spate' means a sudden flood or outpouring.

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