How Do You Spell ATE?

Pronunciation: [ˈe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The word "ate" is spelled using two letters, "a" and "t" and is pronounced as /eɪt/. It is derived from the Old English word "etan" meaning "to eat". The /eɪ/ sound in the word "ate" is a diphthong vowel sound, which is a combination of two vowel sounds, /e/ and /ɪ/. The spelling of the word is important to avoid confusion with other similar sounding words such as "eight" or "ait", which have different meanings.

ATE Meaning and Definition

  1. Ate is a verb that is the past tense of the word "eat." It is used to indicate that someone consumed food or a meal at a previous point in time. When a person eats, they take in food through their mouth, chew and swallow it. Ate specifically refers to the act of consuming food in the past tense.

    Ate is an irregular verb, meaning it does not follow the regular pattern of adding -ed to form the past tense. Instead, the base form "eat" changes to "ate" when denoting a past action. For example, "Yesterday, she ate a delicious meal of pasta and salad for dinner."

    Ate is a widely recognized term with various connotations and associations across cultures. It is an essential part of human existence and sustenance. Eating provides nourishment, fuel, and energy for the body to function properly. It is also often associated with pleasure, socializing, and bonding with others during shared meals. Eating habits and preferences can vary greatly from person to person, influenced by cultural, regional, and personal factors. The term "ate" clearly communicates that food has been consumed in the past, playing a crucial role in describing an individual's dietary habits and allowing for effective communication and understanding.

  2. Of eat, which see.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for ATE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ATE

Etymology of ATE

The word "ate" comes from the Old English word "ettan" or "etan" which means "to eat". This Old English word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "etanan" and the Proto-Indo-European root word "ed-" meaning "to eat" or "devour". The word "ate" has retained its meaning and form throughout the history of the English language.

Idioms with the word ATE

  • (The) dog ate my homework The idiom "(The) dog ate my homework" is a popular excuse used by students to explain why they were unable to complete or turn in their homework. It is often used as a humorous or lighthearted way of saying that one's homework was lost or destroyed, with the dog metaphorically being blamed for the mishap.
  • look like the cat that ate the canary The idiom "look like the cat that ate the canary" refers to someone who appears self-satisfied, smug, or pleased with themselves, often after having achieved a secret or mischief. It implies a sense of guilty satisfaction or the feeling of getting away with something.
  • ate up with someone/something The idiom "ate up with someone/something" is typically used to describe a person's excessive interest, obsession, or preoccupation with someone or something. It implies that a person is deeply engrossed or completely consumed by a specific individual, idea, activity, or situation. It often suggests an intense level of fascination or investment that occupies a significant amount of one's time, attention, or thoughts.
  • like the cat that ate the canary The idiom "like the cat that ate the canary" refers to someone who is gleefully or smugly concealing a secret or about to reveal it. It signifies a sense of satisfaction or delight, often in a mischievous or sly manner, similar to a cat that has successfully caught and devoured a canary.
  • the cat that ate the canary The idiom "the cat that ate the canary" typically refers to a person who has a self-satisfied or smug expression, as if they have a secret or are overly pleased with themselves about something. It implies that the person knows or has done something advantageous or mischievous, and they are enjoying the feeling of superiority or accomplishment.
  • who ate all the pies The idiom "who ate all the pies" is typically used to playfully or mockingly refer to someone as being overweight or indulging excessively in food. It implies that the person being referred to has consumed a large quantity of pies, symbolizing overeating or gluttony.
  • dog ate my homework
  • like the cat that got/ate/swallowed the canary "Like the cat that got/ate/swallowed the canary" is an idiom that describes someone who appears extremely pleased or satisfied with themselves, often in a smug or sly manner. It implies that they have gotten away with something or have a secret that brings them great pleasure.

Similar spelling words for ATE

Plural form of ATE is ATES

Conjugate verb Ate

CONDITIONAL

I would ate
you would ate
he/she/it would ate
we would ate
they would ate
I would eat
we would eat
you would eat
he/she/it would eat
they would eat

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be eating
you would be eating
he/she/it would be eating
we would be eating
they would be eating

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have ate
you would have ate
he/she/it would have ate
we would have ate
they would have ate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been eating
you would have been eating
he/she/it would have been eating
we would have been eating
they would have been eating

FUTURE

I will eat
you will eat
he/she/it will eat
we will eat
they will eat

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be eating
you will be eating
he/she/it will be eating
we will be eating
they will be eating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have eaten
you will have eaten
he/she/it will have eaten
we will have eaten
they will have eaten

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been eating
you will have been eating
he/she/it will have been eating
we will have been eating
they will have been eating

IMPERATIVE

you eat
we let´s eat

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to eat

PAST

I ate
you ate
he/she/it ate
we ate
they ate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was eating
you were eating
he/she/it was eating
we were eating
they were eating

PAST PARTICIPLE

eaten

PAST PERFECT

I had eaten
you had eaten
he/she/it had eaten
we had eaten
they had eaten

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been eating
you had been eating
he/she/it had been eating
we had been eating
they had been eating

PRESENT

I eat
you eat
he/she/it eats
we eat
they eat

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am eating
you are eating
he/she/it is eating
we are eating
they are eating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

eating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have eaten
you have eaten
he/she/it has eaten
we have eaten
they have eaten

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been eating
you have been eating
he/she/it has been eating
we have been eating
they have been eating
I would have eaten
we would have eaten
you would have eaten
he/she/it would have eaten
they would have eaten

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