spud

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
/spʌd/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
An informal potato, a short digging or prying tool, and a technical verb for starting to drill a well.

Examples

  • The operator spudded a new exploratory well.
  • Engineers waited for approval to spud the offshore well.
  • The company plans to spud the well next month.
  • She pried up the old tile with a spud.
  • She roasted the spuds with rosemary and salt.

Similar words

begin
potato
digging tool
bore
Irish potato
pry bar
start drilling
drill
tater
commence

Meanings

Potato

noun
food
informal
A potato, especially in casual speech about cooking, shopping, or growing them.

Examples

  • She roasted the spuds with rosemary and salt.
  • We dug a basket of spuds from the garden.
  • The cafe serves baked spuds with cheese.
  • He mashed the spuds with butter.
  • A sack of fresh spuds sat by the kitchen door.

Similar words

Short digging or prying tool

noun
tools
neutral
A short sturdy tool used to dig, loosen roots, pry material loose, or strip bark.

Examples

  • The gardener used a spud to loosen the roots.
  • A bark spud helps strip bark from a log.
  • Workers kept a heavy spud near the trench.
  • She pried up the old tile with a spud.
  • The tool shed held a rusty spud and two shovels.

Similar words

Begin drilling a well

verb
energy
technical
To start drilling a well, especially in oil and gas exploration.

Examples

  • The company plans to spud the well next month.
  • The crew spudded the first hole before sunrise.
  • Drilling will begin on the official spud date.
  • Engineers waited for approval to spud the offshore well.
  • The operator spudded a new exploratory well.

Similar words

Etymology

From late Middle English spudde, meaning a short knife or dagger, of uncertain origin. The potato sense developed later, probably from the idea of a short, thick object.

FAQ

What does spud mean?

Spud most often means a potato, but it can also mean a short tool or the act of starting to drill a well.

Is spud slang for potato?

Yes. Spud is an informal word for a potato.

Can spud be plural?

Yes. The plural is spuds, as in a bag of spuds.

What is a spud tool?

A spud can be a short sturdy tool used for digging, prying, loosening roots, or stripping bark.

What does spud a well mean?

To spud a well means to begin drilling it.

What is a spud date?

A spud date is the date when drilling of a well begins.

What is the past tense of spud?

The past tense is spudded, with a doubled d.

Where does spud come from?

Spud comes from late Middle English spudde, meaning a short knife or dagger.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...