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spell
1[ spel ]
/ spɛl /
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verb (used with object), spelled or spelt, spell·ing.
verb (used without object), spelled or spelt, spell·ing.
to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.: He spells poorly.
to express words by letters, especially correctly.
Verb Phrases
spell down, to outspell others in a spelling match.
spell out,
- 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.
VIDEO FOR SPELL
Why Do Some Words Look Wrong When Spelled Correctly?
Do you ever spell a word you’ve spelled a thousand times only to second guess yourself? Just blame wordnesia!
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of spell
1First 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 spell2
OTHER WORDS FROM spell
spell·a·ble, adjectiveun·spell·a·ble, adjectiveWords nearby spell
Speke, spelaean, speleology, speleotherapy, spelk, spell, spellbind, spellbinder, spellbound, spell-check, spell checker
Other definitions for spell (2 of 3)
spell2
[ spel ]
/ spɛl /
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.
Origin of spell
2OTHER WORDS FROM spell
spellful, adjectivespell-like, adjectiveOther definitions for spell (3 of 3)
spell3
[ spel ]
/ spɛl /
noun
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.
Origin of spell
3First 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use spell in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for spell (1 of 3)
spell1
/ (spɛl) /
verb spells, spelling, spelt or spelled
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 correctlyd-o-g spells dog
(tr) to indicate or signifysuch actions spell disaster for our cause
See also spell out
Derived forms of spell
spellable, adjectiveWord Origin for spell
C13: from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse spialla to talk, Middle High German spellen
British Dictionary definitions for spell (2 of 3)
spell2
/ (spɛl) /
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; tranceto break the spell
under a spell held in or as if in a spell
verb
(tr) rare to place under a spell
Word Origin for spell
Old English spell speech; related to Old Norse spjall tale, Gothic spill, Old High German spel
British Dictionary definitions for spell (3 of 3)
spell3
/ (spɛl) /
noun
an indeterminate, usually short, period of timea spell of cold weather
a period or tour of duty after which one person or group relieves another
Scot, Australian and NZ a period or interval of rest
verb
(tr) to take over from (a person) for an interval of time; relieve temporarily
spell a paddock NZ to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow
Word Origin for spell
Old English spelian to take the place of, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Other Idioms and Phrases with spell
spell
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.