spilled

UK: /spɪld/ | US: /spɪld/

Definition

  1. v. (past tense and past participle of spill)

    1. To cause or allow (a liquid, powder, etc.) to flow or fall out of a container, usually by accident.
    1. To scatter or spread uncontrollably (e.g., light, information).
Structure
spill <to cause liquid to flow out>ed <past tense suffix>
Etymology

spilled = spill<to cause liquid to flow out> + ed<past tense suffix>

  • spill: From Old English spillan ("to destroy, waste, shed blood"), later evolving to mean "to let liquid flow out" (14th century).
  • -ed: A common English suffix marking past tense or past participle.

Etymology Origin:
The word spill originally carried a violent connotation (e.g., bloodshed) in Old English but softened over time to describe accidental liquid flow. The addition of -ed standardizes it as a past action, reflecting Germanic verb conjugation patterns.

Examples

  1. She spilled coffee on her desk and hurried to wipe it up.

  2. The truck overturned and spilled its cargo across the highway.

  3. Sunlight spilled through the open window.

  4. He accidentally spilled the secrets during the interview.

  5. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she listened to the news.