Word
spiteful
Phoneticsspite·ful, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈspaɪtfəɫ/
UK/spˈaɪtfəl/
Definition
adj. behaving in a way that is mean or cruel just to hurt someone else. You use this to describe someone who does something annoying on purpose.
adj. behaving in a manner intended to cause harm or annoyance to another person. Often used to describe actions or words that are deliberately cruel or petty.
Examples
“He made a spiteful comment about my new car.”
“The spiteful remarks from the former colleague made it difficult for the new manager to focus on her work.”
“The spiteful nature of the letter suggested that the author was not merely seeking to settle a dispute, but to ensure that the recipient would feel as much pain as possible.”
Examples
simple
“He made a spiteful comment about my new car.”
contextual
“The spiteful remarks from the former colleague made it difficult for the new manager to focus on her work.”
complex
“The spiteful nature of the letter suggested that the author was not merely seeking to settle a dispute, but to ensure that the recipient would feel as much pain as possible.”
Etymology
From Middle English spytefulle. By surface analysis, spite + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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