spell

¹

[ spel ]

verb (used with object)

, spelled or spelt, spell·ing.

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 by out ):

   She painfully spelled out the message.

4. to discern or find, as if by reading or study (often followed by out ).
5. to signify; amount to:

   This delay spells disaster for us.

   Synonyms: promise, mean, portend, foretell

verb (used without object)

, spelled or spelt, spell·ing.

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. to outspell others in a spelling match.
2. 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.

spell

²

[ spel ]

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

[ spel ]

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

/ 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. under a spell
   under a spell held in or as if in a spell

verb

1. rare.
   tr to place under a spell

spell

²

/ 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. spell a paddock
   spell a paddock to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow

spell

³

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈspellable, adjective

Other Words From

• spella·ble adjective
• un·spella·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

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”; 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”; 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spell¹

Old English spell speech; related to Old Norse spjall tale, Gothic spill, Old High German spel

Origin of spell²

Old English spelian to take the place of, of obscure origin

Origin of spell³

C13: from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse spialla to talk, Middle High German spellen

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with spell , also see cold snap (spell) ; under someone's spell .

Example Sentences

He said everything — community health data, facility preparedness, the staffing situation — spells a return to in-person instruction.

From Washington Post

Thus, many educators reasonably teach a small set of high-frequency, irregularly spelled words as special cases.

From Washington Post

Married for a spell to Ellen Barkin, he’s made a few appearances in the tabloids, too.

From Washington Post

The rise in demand for flexible office space could also spell a future for repurposed storefronts.

From Digiday

I have no doubt Icahn knows all the numbers, but he appears to rely on instincts that tell him, I’ve seen this scenario before, and it always spells trouble.

From Fortune

“Then I learned he can't spell and is a manager at a CPK,” she said.

From The Daily Beast

After my crying spell stopped, I gritted my teeth, tucked my crutch under my right arm, and turned to my husband.

From The Daily Beast

In order to break the spell and bear children, they must collect four items from the mysterious woods.

From The Daily Beast

A personal favorite is “C Is For Cookie” for guiding me through a 1994 playground debate over how to spell the word.

From The Daily Beast

Unless Spotify can figure out how to better pay artists and develop exclusive deals, this could easily spell the end for them.

From The Daily Beast

Finally he shook himself free from the dreamy spell of the place, and turned his face southward again.

From Project Gutenberg

"I just happened to be passin' and thought I'd drop in for a spell," he said, with a profound bow to Mary, who arose to greet him.

From Project Gutenberg

Her quiet eyes, held by his during the spell that had bound them speechless, did not flinch at the breaking of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Aristide prayed that some Thaïs might come along, cast her spell upon him, and induce him to wink.

From Project Gutenberg

After the first short spell of shelling our men fixed bayonets and lifted them high above the parapet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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