spent

UK: spɛnt | US: spɛnt

Definition

  1. adj. exhausted or used up; having no energy or resources left

  2. adj. (of money, time, etc.) already used and no longer available

  3. v. past tense and past participle of spend

Structure
spend <to use up>t <past tense suffix>
Etymology

spent = spend<to use up> + t<past tense suffix>

  • spend: Derived from Old English spendan (to use up, consume), borrowed from Latin expendere (to weigh out, pay out). The root reflects the idea of "dispensing resources."
  • -t: A common Germanic past tense suffix, historically used in strong verbs (e.g., kept, left).

Etymology Origin:
The word spent originates from Old English spendan, which was influenced by Latin expendere (ex- "out" + pendere "to weigh"). Over time, spend evolved to mean "to use up money or energy," and the past form spent retained this sense of depletion. The suffix -t marks its transition to a past participle, emphasizing completion of action.

Examples

  1. After the marathon, she felt completely spent.

  2. The spent batteries need to be recycled.

  3. He spent all his savings on the trip.

  4. The spent bullet casings littered the ground.

  5. Her spent enthusiasm made it hard to continue the project.