What's the past tense of "spill"?
The simple past tense of spill is spilled or spilt, and the past participle is also spilled or spilt. Both forms are correct, with spilled being more common in American English and spilt preferred in British English.
Definition of spill
The Oxford English Dictionary defines spill as "to cause or allow (liquid) to flow over the edge of its container, especially unintentionally." It can also mean "to reveal (secret information) unintentionally."
- The past tense of spill is spilled or spilt.
- The past participle of spill is spilled or spilt.
Verb forms of 'spill'
Is "spill" a regular or irregular verb?
Note: Regular verbs end in -ed in the past tense. Any other verb ending is considered irregular.
While spill is irregular, it shows a common pattern where both regular (-ed) and irregular (-t) forms are acceptable. This is similar to other verbs like lean, leap, and learn.
When to use "spilled" vs. "spilt"
He spilled his coffee all over the keyboard.
She spilt the milk when she dropped the bottle.
The verb spill uses different forms for both simple past tense and past participle depending on regional preference. When used as a participle (shown in the second sentence), it requires an auxiliary verb like have, has, or had. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so spilled or spilt can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.
Similar irregular verbs
These verbs follow a similar pattern to spill, where both regular (-ed) and irregular (-t) forms are acceptable.
Sentence examples: spill, spilled/spilt, spilled/spilt
• The sippy cup is supposed to be leak resistant and not allow any liquid to spill from the lid.
• We do not need to spill the water if we don't want to.
• Don't pour too much; it might spill over.
• I spilled the glass of milk.
• I spilt coffee down my blouse!
• I accidentally spilled my drink all over him.
• Critical reactions were decidedly spilt after the release.
• The sand had spilt from the fire bucket.
• The hazards of the pill have had much ink spilt on them.
Synonyms & nearby words
Synonyms for spill
Nearby phrases
Origin of the word spill
Old English spillan "destroy, mutilate, kill," also in late Old English "to waste," variant of spildan "destroy," from Proto-Germanic *spilthjan. The modern sense of "cause liquid to flow over" developed in Middle English.
Practice: Forms of “Spill”
He accidentally ______ juice all over the new carpet.
In British English, you might hear someone say they ______ the milk.
Be careful not to ______ your coffee on the keyboard.
The secret was ______ after someone overheard their conversation.
Oil had ______ from the tanker into the sea.
FAQs
Is "spilt" or "spilled" correct?
What's the past participle of "spill"?
Is "spill" a regular or irregular verb?
How do I use "spill" in the past tense?
Can "spill" be used in the present perfect?
Sources
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Oxford English Dictionary. "spill, v." OED Online. Oxford University Press. Date of access 15 Jan. 2025.
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Cambridge Dictionary. "spill." Cambridge University Press. Date of access 15 Jan. 2025.
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