spitting image

noun

plural spitting images
: someone or something that looks very much like someone or something else
Father then and son later are spitting images of each other.Norris McDonald
usually singular
Naimah was brown-skinned, slender, and neighbors said she was the spitting image of her mother.Debbie Chocolate
… a lovely … Oscar de la Renta dress, which was the spitting image of a similar one the late royal had worn previously.Megan C. Hill

Examples of spitting image in a Sentence

with the help of either movie magic or makeup, the actress appeared to be the spitting image of the queen
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And yes, apart from the berry earrings, Patagonia zip-up, and eyeglasses, Violet Affleck is the spitting image of her mother. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024 Yasmin looks devastating, gorgeous, and sad, the spitting image of Princess Diana in her black gown. Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024 Wearing El’s moody mug, pink dress and blonde wig, the talk show host looked like a spitting image of the telepathic teen. Kate Hogan, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Ray Nicholson is the spitting image of his father, Oscar-winning actor Jack Nicholson. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spitting image 

Word History

Etymology

alteration of spit and image

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spitting image was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near spitting image

Cite this Entry

“Spitting image.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spitting%20image. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spitting image

noun
: perfect likeness
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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