ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spilled

v.
A2 Elementary US //ˈspɪɫd// UK //spˈɪld// spilled

v. to accidentally let liquid flow out of a container. You use this when you knock over a glass or drop a bottle.

v. the past tense and past participle of 'spill', meaning to cause or allow liquid to fall or flow from a container. Often used with 'over' or 'out'.


SIMPLE

I spilled my coffee all over the desk.

CONTEXTUAL

The child accidentally spilled the milk while trying to pour it into a bowl.

COMPLEX

As the ship rocked violently in the storm, the contents of the unsecured crates spilled across the deck, creating a hazardous mess for the crew.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive when referring to the person causing the action, but can be intransitive when describing the liquid itself.

Pitfall

The water was spilt on the floor.The water was spilled on the floor.While 'spilt' is common in British English, 'spilled' is the standard form in American English and is universally accepted.

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