big spoon
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
The person whose front is touching the other person's back when spooning.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
So we would attempt to nap. But as he had a twin bed, space was limited, so I would insist he be the big spoon and I be the little spoon.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “big spoon” mean?
The person whose front is touching the other person's back when spooning.
Is “big spoon” formal or informal?
big spoon is generally slang.