Spam

Definition

Spam typically refers to unsolicited or undesired electronic messages, particularly email. It also denotes a brand of canned cooked meat.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /spæm/
• Respelling: SPAM (with "SPAM" rhyming with "ham" and "jam")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /spæm/
• Respelling: SPAM (similar to American English, with "SPAM" rhyming with "ham" and "jam")

In both dialects, "spam" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in "ham" or "jam." The pronunciation of "spam" is consistent between American and British English, clearly reflecting the word's straightforward phonetic structure.

Etymology

The term "spam" in the sense of unsolicited electronic messages is believed to be derived from a Monty Python sketch where Spam, a brand of canned meat, is portrayed as ubiquitous and unavoidable. The brand name "Spam" itself was supposedly created by combining the words 'Spiced' and 'Ham'.

Derivatives

• Spammer
• Spamming
• Spammy

Synonyms

• Junk mail

• Junk mailing

Antonyms

• Personal email

• Personal emailing

Usage

Noun

• In reference to unsolicited or undesired electronic messages: "My inbox is full of spam."
• In reference to a brand of canned cooked meat: "Spam is a popular food item in Hawaii."

Verb

• In reference to the action of sending unsolicited or undesired electronic messages: "He was banned from the platform for spamming."

Related Terms

• Phishing
• Malware
• Email filtering

Detailed Definition

Noun

Electronic Spam:

• Unsolicited or undesired electronic messages, especially email. Spam typically contains advertisements, but can also carry malware.
• Example: "She set up a spam filter to block unsolicited emails."

Canned Meat:

• A brand of canned cooked meat made by Hormel Foods Corporation.
• Example: "He made a sandwich using Spam."

Verb

Sending Unsolicited Emails:

• The action of sending unsolicited or undesired electronic messages, particularly email, often in large quantities.
• Example: "He spammed the forum with advertisements, which was against the rules."

Repeated Action:

• In online gaming or forums, the rapid, repeated action or posting of a specific character, word, or phrase.
• Example: "He was spamming emotes in the chat."