What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spat
Example
The couple had a spat over what movie to watch. [spat: noun]
Example
They spat at each other for a few minutes before making up. [spat: verb]
bicker
Example
The siblings bickered over who got to use the computer first. [bickered: past tense verb]
Example
The coworkers engaged in a constant bickering that disrupted the office environment. [bickering: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bicker is more commonly used than spat in everyday language. Bicker is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while spat is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spat and bicker?
Both spat and bicker are informal and casual in tone, and are typically used in everyday conversation rather than formal writing or speech.
