English Reference
noun · verb

spam

n. · v.
US /ˈspæm/ UK /spˈæm/ spam UK spelling spammed

  1. 01 A2 Elementary Computing

    n.unwanted emails or messages, usually sent to many people to advertise something.

    n.unsolicited bulk electronic messages, typically sent for commercial or malicious purposes. Uncountable in this general sense.

    Simple

    My inbox is full of spam from companies I have never heard of.

    In context

    Advanced filtering algorithms are now capable of intercepting the vast majority of spam before it reaches the user's primary inbox.

    junk mailunsolicited mail
  2. 02 B1 Intermediate Cooking

    n.a brand of canned cooked meat made mostly from ham.

    n.a specific brand of processed canned meat product, often used generically to refer to similar tinned meat items.

    Simple

    He made a quick sandwich with a few slices of spam and some mustard.

    In context

    During the mid-twentieth century, spam became a staple food source in many regions due to its long shelf life and ease of transport.

    canned meatluncheon meat
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Internet

    v.to send the same message many times, often in a way that annoys people.

    v.to send unsolicited or repetitive messages to a large number of recipients or to a single recipient excessively.

    Simple

    Stop spamming the group chat with those silly stickers.

    In context

    The bot was programmed to spam the comment section with links to a fraudulent website until the moderator finally banned the account.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Slang Computing

    v.to press a button or do an action in a game very quickly and many times.

    v.to perform a specific action or use a particular ability repeatedly and rapidly, especially in a video game context.

    Simple

    You can win the fight just by spamming the kick button.

    In context

    Competitive players often criticise those who spam a single powerful move rather than using a variety of tactical skills.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated