Word
Definition
n. a sudden, short, and often painful muscle contraction that you cannot control. It can also describe a sudden, short burst of activity or emotion.
n. a sudden, involuntary, and often painful contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. In a figurative sense, it refers to a sudden, brief, and intense burst of activity or emotion.
Examples
“He suffered from a sudden muscle spasm in his leg.”
“The sudden spasm of the engine caused the car to stall on the highway.”
“The sudden spasm of the crowd's applause was followed by a long, uncomfortable silence as the speaker realized his mistake.”
Examples
simple
“He suffered from a sudden muscle spasm in his leg.”
contextual
“The sudden spasm of the engine caused the car to stall on the highway.”
complex
“The sudden spasm of the crowd's applause was followed by a long, uncomfortable silence as the speaker realized his mistake.”
Real-World Examples
“She took a break from performing, later describing how the condition meant she had suffered muscle spasms so strong that her ribs were broken.” Etymology
From Middle English spasme, from Old French spasme, from Latin spasmus, from Ancient Greek σπασμός (spasmós, “spasm, convulsion”), from σπάω (spáō, “to draw out, pull out”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/spasm
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0