Basic Details
Word: Spate
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A sudden increase in the amount or flow of something, especially water; a large number or series of events happening at once.
Synonyms: Flood, surge, outpouring
Antonyms: Drought, trickle, scarcity
Idioms and Phrases
- In spate: A phrase used when something is happening in large amounts or numbers. Example: "The river was in spate, overflowing its banks after the heavy rain."
- Spate of bad luck: Refers to experiencing many unfortunate events in a row. Example: "After a spate of bad luck, she finally received good news about her exam results."
Usage Examples
Example 1: After the storms, there was a spate of flooding in the low-lying areas of the town.
Example 2: The publisher experienced a spate of new authors submitting their manuscripts this year.
Example 3: We had a spate of warm weather that made everyone excited for the summer ahead.
Fun Fact
The word "spate" comes from an old Scottish term meaning a sudden flood or rush of water. Over time, it has evolved to describe not just water but any sudden increase or outpouring of events.
Famous Quote
"In the midst of a spate of problems, one can always find a reason to smile." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "spate" mean?
a) A small drop of water
b) A sudden increase in flow or events
c) A type of flower
d) A gentle breeze
Answer: b) A sudden increase in flow or events
2. Which of these is a synonym of "spate"?
a) Drought
b) Surge
c) Whisper
d) Calm
Answer: b) Surge
3. What is an antonym of "spate"?
a) Flood
b) Outpouring
c) Scarcity
d) Increase
Answer: c) Scarcity
4. Which sentence uses "spate" correctly?
a) There was a spate of bees buzzing around the flowers.
b) She wrote a spate of letters to her friends last week.
c) The cat had a spate of jumping over fences every day.
d) We had a spate of cold water in the fridge.
Answer: b) She wrote a spate of letters to her friends last week.
5. What does the phrase "a spate of bad luck" imply?
a) Experiencing many good things
b) A series of unfortunate events
c) A group of happy people
d) Nothing meaningful
Answer: b) A series of unfortunate events
