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

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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

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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

The stormy spell of weather was caused by a very active jet stream - the fast moving wind high in the atmosphere - sending deep areas of low pressure toward the UK.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

“Wicker” might not spend all its time in those complex feelings, but it lingers within them long enough to cast a spell.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026

Also, the proposition does not spell out the terms or interest rates on the loans, which would be worked out if the measure is approved.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026

A survey of top business executives pointed to “the best growth spell for U.S. businesses since early 2015” excluding the COVID-19 pandemic, Williamson said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026

This quiet spell lasted a good long time.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

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 case of a beneficiary demanding more money, that would be spelled out in the trust documents.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 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

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

“Oh,” said Miss Allen, “that is just the way Katy Fox spelled ‘scissors’ when she was a scholar at my school!”

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

But on the Chinese internet, few were explicitly spelling out those words and actions, or even using the name of Mao - who remains a near-sacred figure in the country.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

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

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

The crew tried to keep up morale with activities such as spelling bees or lip-syncing competitions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026

I took that B is for Bear spelling test from a couple weeks before, and I taped it to my door, right underneath my letter from Mountford.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

The letter, sent on behalf of the King, spelt out the non-working royal status of Prince Harry and Meghan.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 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

“Your last letter was not interesting, but very well spelt, which I care more about,” Emma wrote to Lenny.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

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