What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spate
Example
The city experienced a spate of car accidents due to the heavy rain. [spate: noun]
Example
There has been a spate of new restaurants opening up in the area. [spate: noun]
wave
Example
The surfer rode the wave all the way to the shore. [wave: noun]
Example
There was a wave of excitement when the band came on stage. [wave: noun]
Example
She waved goodbye to her friends as she boarded the plane. [waved: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wave is more commonly used than spate in everyday language. Wave is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while spate is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spate and wave?
Both spate and wave are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
