SPELL Definition & Meaning

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spell

[ spel ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

spelled or spelt, spelling.

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)

spelled or spelt, spelling.

to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.:
He spells poorly.
to express words by letters, especially correctly.

verb phrase

1. to explain something explicitly, so that the meaning is unmistakable:
  Must I spell it out for you?
2. 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

[ spel ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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

[ spel ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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

/ ��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

/ ��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 spell
held in or as if in a spell

verb

rare.
tr to place under a spell

spell

/ ��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 paddock
to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow

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Derived Forms

ˈ��, adjective

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Other �y��vlog Forms

��a·�� adjective
un·��a·�� adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of spell¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English spel(l)en “to mean, signify,” from Old French espeller, espelir, from Germanic; compare Old English spellian “to talk, converse, announce” (derivative of spell “magic charm”); akin to Old High German -��ō��, Old Norse spjall “saying, tale,” Gothic ��辱��ō�� “to narrate”; spell ²

Origin of spell²

First recorded before 900; Middle English spel “story, tale, narrative,” Old English; cognate with Old High German spel, Old Norse spjall “saying, tale,” Gothic spill “fable, story”; spell ¹, gospel

Origin of spell³

First recorded in 1585–95; (verb) alteration of earlier spel(l)e “to stand in place of, relieve, spare,” Middle English spelen, Old English spelian; akin to Old English spelian “to stand in place of, represent”; spala, gespelia “a substitute”; the noun is derivative of the verb

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of spell¹

C13: from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse spialla to talk, Middle High German spellen

Origin of spell²

Old English spell speech; related to Old Norse spjall tale, Gothic spill, Old High German spel

Origin of spell³

Old English spelian to take the place of, of obscure origin

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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with spell , also see cold snap (spell) ; under someone's spell .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It is difficult to see Kyle Walker returning to City once his loan spell with AC Milan ends.

From

Well backed in lead-up to race, would be suited by dry spell with good going right up his street.

From

However, it does not spell out any role for the president.

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Donald Trump's new 10% tariffs on all imports to the United States could spell the end of one Welsh company's sales there, its boss has said.

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Ask a generative AI program for ‘historical’ footage and what you get could spell the end of documents and documentaries we can believe in.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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