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spell
1[ spel ]
verb (used with object)
- to name, write, or otherwise give the letters, in order, of (a word, syllable, etc.):
Did I spell your name right?
- (of letters) to form (a word, syllable, etc.):
The letters spelled a rather rude word.
- to read letter by letter or with difficulty (often followed by out ):
She painfully spelled out the message.
- to discern or find, as if by reading or study (often followed by out ).
- to signify; amount to:
This delay spells disaster for us.
Synonyms: , , ,
verb (used without object)
- to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.:
He spells poorly.
- to express words by letters, especially correctly.
verb phrase
- to explain something explicitly, so that the meaning is unmistakable:
Must I spell it out for you?
- to write out in full or enumerate the letters of which a word is composed:
The title “Ph.D.” is seldom spelled out.
- to outspell others in a spelling match.
spell
2[ spel ]
noun
- a word, phrase, or form of words supposed to have magic power; charm; incantation:
The wizard cast a spell.
- a state or period of enchantment:
She was under a spell.
- any dominating or irresistible influence; fascination:
the spell of fine music.
spell
3[ spel ]
noun
- a continuous course or period of work or other activity:
to take a spell at the wheel.
- a turn of work so taken.
- a turn, bout, fit, or period of anything experienced or occurring:
a spell of coughing.
- an indefinite interval or space of time:
Come visit us for a spell.
Synonyms: , ,
- a period of weather of a specified kind:
a hot spell.
- Australian. a rest period.
- Archaic. a person or set of persons taking a turn of work to relieve another.
verb (used with object)
- to take the place of for a time; relieve:
Let me spell you at the wheel.
- Australian. to declare or give a rest period to.
verb (used without object)
- Australian. to have or take a rest period.
spell
1/ ɛ /
verb
- to write or name in correct order the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
- tr (of letters) to go to make up the conventionally established form of (a word) when arranged correctly
d-o-g spells dog
- tr to indicate or signify
such actions spell disaster for our cause
spell
2/ ɛ /
noun
- a verbal formula considered as having magical force
- any influence that can control the mind or character; fascination
- a state induced by or as if by the pronouncing of a spell; trance
to break the spell
- under a spellheld in or as if in a spell
verb
- rare.tr to place under a spell
spell
3/ ɛ /
noun
- an indeterminate, usually short, period of time
a spell of cold weather
- a period or tour of duty after which one person or group relieves another
- a period or interval of rest
verb
- tr to take over from (a person) for an interval of time; relieve temporarily
- spell a paddockto give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow
Derived Forms
- ˈ, adjective
Other Word Forms
- a· adjective
- un·a· adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of spell1
Origin of spell2
Origin of spell3
Word History and Origins
Origin of spell1
Origin of spell2
Origin of spell3
Idioms and Phrases
In addition to the idiom beginning with spell , also see cold snap (spell) ; under someone's spell .Example Sentences
The warm spell is expected to give a temporary boost to nature as migratory birds arrive from afar and butterflies stretch their wings.
But Palmer has had more shots than any other Premier League player during his goalless spell - 41 efforts.
The star of "The Last of Us" lashed out at Rowling's recent celebration of a United Kingdom Supreme Court ruling that could spell disaster for the cause of trans rights.
For the marathon in Manchester there will be spells of sunshine and it should stay dry.
After a spell on Radio 4's The World At One, she moved to television in 1983.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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