Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

spoon-feed

/ˈspunˌfid/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.81 in modern English

Syllables: spoon-feed
IPA: /ˈspunˌfid/

15

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To help somebody (usually a baby or elder) to eat using a spoon; to feed using a spoon.

Intransitive verb

verb

To overly pamper or indulge (someone), so that they do not (or because they failed to) act or think for themselves.

Transitive verb

verb

To give (something) in an overly pampering way, so that the recipients do not (or because they failed to) act or think for themselves.

Transitive verb

verb

To explain (something, to someone) in simple words; to explain (it, to them) in words of one syllable; to spell (it) out (for them).

Example Sentences

"I can help you with your homework, but you must understand the concept, because I will not spoon-feed you."
"What do you mean "I don't know"? I'm practically spoon-feeding you the answer!"

Etymology

From spoon + feed.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈspunˌfid/
British English: /ˈspuːnfiːd/

Usage

Inflected Forms

spoon-feeds (present, singular) spoon-feeding (participle, present) spoon-fed (participle, past) spoon-fed (past) spoonfeed (alternative)

Questions

How do you pronounce spoon-feed?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈspunˌfid/.
What does spoon-feed mean?: To help somebody (usually a baby or elder) to eat using a spoon; to feed using a spoon.
Where does spoon-feed come from?: From spoon + feed.

How to pronounce spoon-feed

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “spoon-feed”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈspunˌfid/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “spoon-feed”.
Repeat and practice — Say “spoon-feed” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.