Standard Lemma guide

spume

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /spjuːm/
  • Canada: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -uːm

1

noun

Meaning 1

Foam or froth of liquid, particularly that of seawater.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To froth.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

foam or froth on the sea

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: foam, froth

4

verb

Meaning 4

make froth or foam and become bubbly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The river foamed

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: froth, suds

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: make, create

History

Etymology

From Middle English spume, from Old French espume, from Latin spūma.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: пяна (pjana) — foam of sea water
  • Dutch: zeeschuim — foam of sea water
  • Greek: αλισάχνη (alisáchni) — foam of sea water
  • Māori: ware — foam of sea water
  • Māori: pūpūtai — foam of sea water
  • Māori: pūtai — foam of sea water
  • Middle English: spume — foam of sea water
  • Polish: piana — foam of sea water
  • Russian: пе́на (péna) — foam of sea water
  • Scottish Gaelic: cathadh-mara — foam of sea water
  • Welsh: distrych — foam of sea water
  • Welsh: berw — foam of sea water