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

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

These fans haven’t learned that in this city, there’s three ways to spell Loser.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

There is no evidence that Xi is gravely ill or that he had a stroke or fainting spell, as rumored across social media this week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

She went on to earn a degree from the Stockholm School of Economics and did a brief spell at Harvard.

From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026

Even though Sally cast a spell that made her children forget their powers, now that they’re growing up, they can’t escape that darned curse.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

You may not have anything to say, but you dadburn better know how to spell it.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Mr. Wilson does try to get his movie to follow some of the steps spelled out by the Hallmark canon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 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

Silver had to follow guidelines spelled out in the NBA collective bargaining agreement and could not unilaterally decide whether the Clippers would be punished and how severely.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

Though Kate remained in Auburn, the spirits in Rochester spelled out meticulous instructions for a presentation to the public.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

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

A trust gives you more control by spelling out your wishes in detail.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

What remains unclear is whether superstars such as Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau will find that palatable or seek a path back to the PGA Tour—potentially spelling the end for LIV.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

Glee is not, however, the word that sprung to mind when Claude and Mom had a little exchange about the spelling of Katherine of Aragon’s name.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

I draw her all over my spelling notebook and get in trouble with my teacher.

From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee

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

Two humiliating friendly results three months later – a goalless draw with Gibraltar and 4-0 thrashing by Slovakia – spelt the end for Page.

From BBC ● Nov. 17, 2025

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

A truck carrying Hatton's yellow three-wheeler car was at the head of the funeral procession, with the name "Ricky" spelt out in flowers.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2025

“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

Related Words

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