spell
♦ spell /sp'el/ (spells spelling spelled spelt)
American English uses the form spelled as the past tense and past participle. British English uses either spelled or spelt.
1 [VERB] V n, V n, V-ed
When you spell a word, you write or speak each letter in the word in the correct order.
He gave his name and then helpfully spelt it...
How do you spell `potato'?...
`Tang' is `Gnat' spelt backwards.
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
Spell out means the same as spell.
If I don't know a word, I ask them to spell it out for me...
I never have to spell out my first name.
2 [VERB] no cont, V, V n
Someone who can spell knows the correct order of letters in words.
It's shocking how students can't spell these days...
You accused me of inaccuracy yet you can't spell `Middlesex'.
3 [VERB] no cont, V n
If something spells a particular result, often an unpleasant one, it suggests that this will be the result.
If the irrigation plan goes ahead, it could spell disaster for the birds...
4 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A spell of a particular type of weather or a particular activity is a short period of time during which this type of weather or activity occurs.
There has been a long spell of dry weather...
You join a barrister for two six-month spells of practical experience.
= period
5 [N-COUNT]
A spell is a situation in which events are controlled by a magical power.
They say she died after a witch cast a spell on her.
...the kiss that will break the spell.
6
see also spellingspell out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you spell something out, you explain it in detail or in a very clear way.
Be assertive and spell out exactly how you feel...
How many times do I have to spell it out?
2
see spell 1
American English uses the form spelled as the past tense and past participle. British English uses either spelled or spelt.
1 [VERB] V n, V n, V-ed
When you spell a word, you write or speak each letter in the word in the correct order.
He gave his name and then helpfully spelt it...
How do you spell `potato'?...
`Tang' is `Gnat' spelt backwards.
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
Spell out means the same as spell.
If I don't know a word, I ask them to spell it out for me...
I never have to spell out my first name.
2 [VERB] no cont, V, V n
Someone who can spell knows the correct order of letters in words.
It's shocking how students can't spell these days...
You accused me of inaccuracy yet you can't spell `Middlesex'.
3 [VERB] no cont, V n
If something spells a particular result, often an unpleasant one, it suggests that this will be the result.
If the irrigation plan goes ahead, it could spell disaster for the birds...
4 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A spell of a particular type of weather or a particular activity is a short period of time during which this type of weather or activity occurs.
There has been a long spell of dry weather...
You join a barrister for two six-month spells of practical experience.
= period
5 [N-COUNT]
A spell is a situation in which events are controlled by a magical power.
They say she died after a witch cast a spell on her.
...the kiss that will break the spell.
6
see also spellingspell out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you spell something out, you explain it in detail or in a very clear way.
Be assertive and spell out exactly how you feel...
How many times do I have to spell it out?
2
see spell 1