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

---

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.

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

spell Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing spell

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

---

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

See Examples For:

spell spelled spelling spelt

While that dry spell will draw empty stares from fans in Seattle, Pittsburgh or San Diego, it’s a fiasco for a franchise that’s won 27 of them and regards October silverware as its birthright.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

The cooler spell is not expected to last and temperatures should return towards average over the weekend and even slightly above average again next week.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

But the cooler spell is not expected to last, with temperatures set to rise towards average over the weekend.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

While locals are used to periods of low water, this particular spell is alarming, with the record low of 1906 set to be surpassed imminently.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

But by the end of the morning, Little Britches could spell Utah, and Flopears found Indiana.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

The council’s discussion followed a story Monday in The Times which detailed how LA28 failed to adhere to the strict annual reporting requirements spelled out in the organization’s 2021 contract with the city.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

In the 2025 version of its annually updated “AI Safety Governance Framework,” China’s top cyberspace regulator spelled out the threat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

Naming a trust as the beneficiary instead, with distribution terms spelled out, gives you far more control over timing and outcome.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

This ambition is spelled out in the new US National Security Strategy, and Rubio, himself of Cuban heritage, is its chief architect.

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

He spelled the two names and cited dates.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

The Corona Centennial High football team has an interesting blend of players spelling their similar first names differently, leaving coach Matt Logan to be the referee as to which parents got the spelling correct.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

They are not just talking about adding on a few cells here and there, but spelling out a monumental increase in the numbers of people that the country locks up.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Giles Mason, who runs the Take 5 to Stop Fraud campaign at UK Finance which represents the banking and finance industry, said scam emails used to be "riddled with spelling mistakes, poor grammar".

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

Once he was safely in Britain, MI6 shared his intelligence with the CIA, spelling out the full extent of the KGB’s Iranian ambitions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

I add, hoping to win a smile for using a spelling word.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari

Also, Walsh gets spelt polenta bread from Bub and Grandma’s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

For the toast I eat every day: I use spelt polenta bread from Bub and Grandma’s and a polenta Pullman loaf from She-Wolf Bakery, at Canyon and at home.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Although not spelt out precisely during the interview, the implication of Block’s trade rationale is that higher unemployment means economic weakness and this would in turn lead to deteriorating corporate financials.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 1, 2026

The exit poll also spelt bad news for the GreenLeft-Labour party of former European Commissioner Frans Timmermans, who had long been second in the polls and is now set to come fourth.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2025

But my name was on the envelope, and spelt correctly, an unusual thing.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

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