1 A2 neutral
To serve food by scooping it with a spoon from a container
"She spooned out generous helpings of stew into each bowl."
separable
spoon out
B1 neutral separable transitive
To serve or distribute something by scooping it out with a spoon
In plain English
To use a spoon to take food out of a bowl or pot and put it somewhere else
What does "spoon out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To distribute or give out something in measured portions
"The charity worker spooned out rice to each family waiting in line."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scoop something out using a spoon — fully transparent
Actually means
To use a spoon to take food out of a bowl or pot and put it somewhere else
Usage tip
Primarily used in domestic and culinary contexts. Straightforward and literal. Can also be used figuratively to mean distributing something (e.g., 'spooning out advice'), though this is less common. Similar to 'ladle out' but not restricted to liquids.
Words that pair with "spoon out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
porridge soup ice cream rice jam batter
How to conjugate "spoon out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
spoon out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spoons out
he/she/it
Past simple
spooned out
yesterday
Past participle
spooned out
have + pp
-ing form
spooning out
continuous
Hear "spoon out" in the wild
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