1 spell
/ˈspɛl/
verb
spells;
spelled
or chiefly British
spelt
/ˈspɛlt/ ;
spelling
1 spell
/ˈspɛl/
verb
spells;
spelled
or chiefly British
spelt
/ˈspɛlt/ ;
spelling
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPELL
chiefly US
1
a
:
to say, write, or print the letters of (a word or name)
[+ object]
-
How do you spell your last name?
-
You spelled “catastrophe” wrong.
-
“Foggy” is spelled with two g's.
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— sometimes + out
-
Please spell out your full name.
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[no object]
-
He doesn't spell very well.
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b
[+ object]
— used to indicate the letters that form a particular word
-
S-O-N spells “son.”
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2
[+ object]
:
to have or lead to (a particular result or effect)
-
Her boss's resignation spelled the end to her troubles. [=her troubles ended when her boss resigned]
-
The amount of planning you do could spell [=mean] the difference between success and failure.
-
Their carelessness could spell trouble/disaster for all of us.
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spell out
[phrasal verb]
1
spell (something) out
or
spell out (something)
:
to explain the details of (something) clearly
-
The contract spelled out the terms of his employment.
-
She didn't get the hint, so he had to spell it out for her.
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2
:
to write out (something) in complete words instead of using a number, an abbreviation, etc.
-
When addressing the invitations, spell out “street,” “road,” etc.
-
On this line you need to spell out the dollar amount.
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— see also 1spell 1 (above)
— compare 3spell
2 spell
/ˈspɛl/
noun
plural
spells
2 spell
/ˈspɛl/
noun
plural
spells
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPELL
1
[count]
a
:
a group of secret words that are believed to have magic power
-
He said a magic spell of protection.
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b
:
magic that is performed by saying a group of secret words
-
In the story, the witch casts a spell on/over the children.
-
Drinking the potion will break the spell. [=end the magic]
-
She felt like she was under a spell. [=affected by magic]
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2
[singular]
:
a quality that attracts or influences someone or something in a powerful or seemingly magical way
-
The sound of the phone ringing broke the spell of the music.
-
Many people think she has fallen under his spell, but I think she knows what she's doing.
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— compare 4spell
3 spell
/ˈspɛl/
verb
spells;
spelled;
spelling
3 spell
/ˈspɛl/
verb
spells;
spelled;
spelling
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPELL
[+ object]
chiefly US
:
to take the place of (another person who has been working or doing something for a period of time)
:
to take over for (someone)
-
When they're taking care of their grandson, they spell [=relieve] each other throughout the day.
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— compare 1spell
4 spell
/ˈspɛl/
noun
plural
spells
4 spell
/ˈspɛl/
noun
plural
spells
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPELL
[count]
1
:
a short period of time usually marked by a particular activity or condition
-
a dizzy/fainting spell
-
I'm tired and need to sit down for a spell.
-
It looks like we're in for a spell of rainy weather.
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The flowers died during a dry/cold spell. [=a period of dry/cold weather]
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2
:
a period spent doing a job or duty
-
After a spell as an editor she went back to teaching.
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— compare 2spell
