spell out

British  

verb

1. to make clear, distinct, or explicit; clarify in detail

   let me spell out the implications

2. to read laboriously or with difficulty, working out each word letter by letter

3. to discern by study; puzzle out

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spell out Idioms  

1. Make plain, clarify, as in We asked her to spell out her objectives . [c. 1940]

2. Read slowly and laboriously, as in He was only six but he managed to spell out the instructions . [Early 1800s]

3. Puzzle out, manage to understand with some effort, as in It took years before anyone could spell out the inscriptions on the Rosetta Stone . [Late 1600s] All three usages transfer spell in the sense of “proceed letter by letter.”

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Example Sentences

Plaid Cymru has come under pressure since May's election to spell out how it will afford and roll out its flagship policy for babies from nine months to four-years-old.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

But the BBC understands his course has fallen on the wrong side of regulations which spell out that one-year postgraduate courses are not routinely funded.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Fans are literally taking to the streets to spell out their appreciation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

She didn’t spell out what this all meant, but it seemed to imply that Erika was raised to be a Project Looking Glass agent assigned to handle Charlie.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

Diamonds spell out “Law” at the bottom, like the crown sits on top of his name.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• define
• describe
• expound
• illustrate
• justify
• point out