spell

¹

[spel]

verb (used with object)

spelled, spelt, spelling. 

1. to name, write, or otherwise give the letters, in order, of (a word, syllable, etc.).

   Did I spell your name right?

2. (of letters) to form (a word, syllable, etc.).

   The letters spelled a rather rude word.

3. to read letter by letter or with difficulty (often followed byout ).

   She painfully spelled out the message.

4. to discern or find, as if by reading or study (often followed byout ).

5. to signify; amount to.

   This delay spells disaster for us.

   Synonyms: promise, mean, portend, foretell

verb (used without object)

spelled, spelt, spelling. 

1. to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc..

   He spells poorly.

2. to express words by letters, especially correctly.

verb phrase

1. spell out

   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.

2. spell down,  to outspell others in a spelling match.

spell

²

[spel]

noun

1. a word, phrase, or form of words supposed to have magic power; charm; incantation.

   The wizard cast a spell.

2. a state or period of enchantment.

   She was under a spell.

3. any dominating or irresistible influence; fascination.

   the spell of fine music.

spell

³

[spel]

noun

1. a continuous course or period of work or other activity.

   to take a spell at the wheel.

2. a turn of work so taken.

3. a turn, bout, fit, or period of anything experienced or occurring.

   a spell of coughing.

4. an indefinite interval or space of time.

   Come visit us for a spell.

   Synonyms: stretch, bit, while

5. a period of weather of a specified kind.

   a hot spell.

6. Australian.,  a rest period.

7. Archaic.,  a person or set of persons taking a turn of work to relieve another.

verb (used with object)

1. to take the place of for a time; relieve.

   Let me spell you at the wheel.

2. Australian.,  to declare or give a rest period to.

verb (used without object)

1. Australian.,  to have or take a rest period.

spell

¹

/ spɛl /

noun

1. a verbal formula considered as having magical force

2. any influence that can control the mind or character; fascination

3. a state induced by or as if by the pronouncing of a spell; trance

   to break the spell

4. held in or as if in a spell

verb

1. rare,  (tr) to place under a spell

spell

²

/ spɛl /

noun

1. an indeterminate, usually short, period of time

   a spell of cold weather

2. a period or tour of duty after which one person or group relieves another

3. a period or interval of rest

verb

1. (tr) to take over from (a person) for an interval of time; relieve temporarily

2. to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow

spell

³

/ spɛl /

verb

1. to write or name in correct order the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)

2. (tr) (of letters) to go to make up the conventionally established form of (a word) when arranged correctly

   d-o-g spells dog

3. (tr) to indicate or signify

   such actions spell disaster for our cause

Other Word Forms

• spellable adjective
• unspellable adjective
• spellful adjective
• spell-like adjective

Word 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 -spellōn, Old Norse spjall “saying, tale,” Gothic spillōn “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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spell¹

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

Origin of spell²

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

Origin of spell³

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

Idioms and Phrases

• cold snap (spell)
• under someone's spell

Example Sentences

There will also be clear spells for much of the evening for eastern Scotland.

From BBC

As a lifelong cinephile who grew up watching movies, I know that spell well.

From Los Angeles Times

In the Premier League era, David Moyes also has 250 wins under his belt, but has achieved them across spells with multiple clubs.

From BBC

This involved them visiting local priests to bless scams, and to cast spells they believed would make victims more compliant, or protect the scammers from being caught.

From BBC

It was injuries that derailed their title challenge in 2024-25, with Odegaard himself having a spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

From BBC

Related Words

• add up to 
• augur 
• indicate 
• intend 
• portend 
• presage 
• signify 
• suggest