spell out
Britishverb
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to make clear, distinct, or explicit; clarify in detail
let me spell out the implications
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to read laboriously or with difficulty, working out each word letter by letter
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to discern by study; puzzle out
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Make plain, clarify, as in We asked her to spell out her objectives . [c. 1940]
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Read slowly and laboriously, as in He was only six but he managed to spell out the instructions . [Early 1800s]
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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.”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Romi took time to spell out for BBC Scotland News how she feels about not being able to sit the exam.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
The 27-year-old was asked about the mental toll of his long spell out of action.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
The reports in the last two years failed to spell out the companies that received contracts of $1 million or more and the amounts of those deals.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Officials said the new legislation would spell out thresholds before the labor minister can bring an end to a labor disruption.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
The flowers drift and spell out “Ad & Chloe.”
From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
