spell

¹ American  

[spel] / spɛl /

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

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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 American  

[spel] / spɛl /

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.

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spell ³ American  

[spel] / spɛl /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. rare (tr) to place under a spell

spell ² British  

/ 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

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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 British  

/ 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

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spell Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing spell

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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”; see origin at 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”; see 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

Explanation

A spell is a series of words that has magical powers. If you’re under a spell, then what you do is out of your control — your thoughts and actions are dictated by the spell. Spell can refer to the magic words you say, or it can describe being under the influence of those words. You probably don’t encounter many magic spells in real life, but the word is often used figuratively to describe those times when you feel like a magical power controls your action. Of course, this word can also mean the verb "to spell" which refers to reciting the letters in a word, like the competitive spellers in a spelling bee.

Example Sentences

In Spell 16, a funerary procession, stacked like a doll’s house, shows Ankhmerwer kneeling before three representations of the sun god.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Together or separately, they co-wrote “Wide Open Heart,” “I’ll Pay the Price,” “California Sky,” “I Spell Love” and “Hand Me Down Heart” with Yoakam.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2024

At the heart of this case is a very basic choice: whether we allow a glorified Speak & Spell to—

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2023

In 2018, 11 bidders at Sotheby’s vied for his 2004 canvas “I’ll Put a Spell on You,” which ultimately sold for nearly $1 million, about five times the high estimate.

From New York Times • Oct. 26, 2022

Spell message in Morse code with rocks, include things attempted.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

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