# spades

/ˈspeɪdz/ (US) · /spˈeɪdz/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spades
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a large amount of something. You use this in the phrase 'in spades' to say that someone has a lot of a specific quality.

For teachers: a significant or abundant quantity of a particular quality or attribute. Almost exclusively used within the idiomatic prepositional phrase 'in spades'.

## Examples

- She has talent in spades.
- The new smartphone has all the latest features and style in spades, making it a top choice for tech enthusiasts.
- While the original film relied on subtle atmosphere, the sequel delivers high-octane action and special effects in spades to satisfy a broader audience.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He has a spade of luck" but "He has luck in spades" — The idiom 'in spades' is a fixed plural phrase; it cannot be used in the singular to mean 'a lot'.

## Usage notes

- Pluralia tantum in this idiomatic sense; typically functions as an adverbial phrase following a verb or noun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.