Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense spells, present participle spelling, past tense, past participle spelled, past tense, past participle speltlanguage note: American English uses the form spelled as the past tense and past participle. British English uses either spelled or spelt.
1. verb
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. [VERB noun]
How do you spell 'potato'? [VERB noun]
'Tang' is 'Gnat' spelt backwards. [VERB-ed]
Spell out means the same as spell.
If I don't know a word, I ask them to spell it out for me. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
I never have to spell out my first name. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
2. verb [no cont]
Someone who can spell knows the correct order of letters in words.
It's shocking how many students can't spell these days. [VERB]
You accused me of inaccuracy yet you can't spell 'Middlesex'. [VERB noun]
3. verb [no cont]
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. [VERB noun]
A report has just arrived on government desks which spells more trouble. [VERB noun]
4. countable noun
A spellof 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. [+ of]
You join a barrister for two six-month spells of practical experience. [+ of]
...sunny spells.
Synonyms: period, time, term, stretch More Synonyms of spell
5. countable noun
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.
Synonyms: incantation, charm, sorcery, exorcism More Synonyms of spell
6. See also spelling
7.
See to cast a/its spell
8.
See under sb's spell
Phrasal verbs:
See spell out
More Synonyms of spell
spell in British English1
(spɛl)
verbWord forms: spells, spelling, spelt or spelled
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. (transitive)
(of letters) to go to make up the conventionally established form of (a word) when arranged correctly
d-o-g spells dog
3. (transitive)
to indicate or signify
such actions spell disaster for our cause
Derived forms
spellable (ˈspellable)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse spialla to talk, Middle High German spellen
spell in British English2
(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
verb
5. (transitive) rare
to place under a spell
Word origin
Old English spell speech; related to Old Norse spjall tale, Gothic spill, Old High German spel
spell in British English3
(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. Scottish, Australian and New Zealand
a period or interval of rest
verb
4. (transitive)
to take over from (a person) for an interval of time; relieve temporarily
5. spell a paddock
Word origin
Old English spelian to take the place of, of obscure origin
spell in American English1
(spɛl)
noun
1.
a word, formula, or form of words thought to have some magic power; incantation
2.
seemingly magical power or irresistible influence; charm; fascination
3.
a trance
Idioms:
cast a spell on
under a spell
Word origin
ME < OE, a saying, tale, charm, akin to Goth spill, tale < ? IE base *(s)pel-, to speak loudly
spell in American English2
(spɛl)
verb transitiveWord forms: spelled or spelt, ˈspelling
1.
to name, write, or signal the letters which make up (a word, syllable, etc.), esp. the right letters in the right order, together with any required hyphens, apostrophes, accents, etc.
2.
to make up, or form (a word, etc.)
said of specified letters
3.
to signify; mean
hard work spelled success
verb intransitive
4.
to spell a word, words, etc.; esp., to do so correctly
Idioms:
spell out
Word origin
ME spellen < OFr espeller, to explain, relate < Frank *spellōn, akin to spell1
spell in American English3
(spɛl)
verb transitiveWord forms: spelled or ˈspelling
1. Informal
to serve or work in place of (another), esp. so as to give a period of rest to; relieve
2. Chiefly Austral
to give a period of rest to
verb intransitive
3. Chiefly Austral
to take a period of rest or relief
noun
4.
a turn of serving or working in place of another
5.
a period or turn of work, duty, etc.
a two-year spell as reporter
6.
a turn, period, or fit of something
a spell of brooding
7.
a period of a specified sort of weather
a cold spell
8. Informal
a period of time that is indefinite, short, or of a specified character
9. US, Dialectal
a short distance
10. Informal
a period or fit of some illness, indisposition, etc.
11. Chiefly Austral
a period of rest or relief from activity
Word origin
ME spelien < OE spelian, to substitute for, akin to spala, a substitute
Examples of 'spell' in a sentence
spell
There are dry spells and difficult seasons.
Christianity Today (2000)
You may have been so anxious to get things right last time that it spelled disaster.
The Sun (2013)
United will use fitness concerns to get him through his recent spell of poor form.
The Sun (2009)
Yesterday he impressed with his willingness to bowl long spells as much as his control.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is a particular problem when the country experiences a prolonged spell of hot dry weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There followed a short spell as a merchant seaman.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is not because they do not know how to spell or write.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She casts a spell when she walks into a room.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That last email spelt out the result.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Following a spell of free time you will then return to your hotel.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The following week a dry spell is most likely.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This haphazard method can spell disaster for you.
Standen, Chris Superdog! Action plans that work for a happy and well-behaved pet (1990)
Coming back into form after dodgy spell.
The Sun (2012)
There are always difficulties when we have a long spell of bad weather.
The Sun (2010)
The freezing spell will be short and sharp.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Can you rearrange each set of letter blocks to spell out the name of a quiz show host?
The Sun (2015)
Or does he feel the need for a spell of executive experience before clinching a plum chairmanship somewhere else?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They forgot that a dog is a dog, not its name spelt backwards.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This was far from a unique winter spell of weather in May.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Clearly a name that is easy to spell backwards or forwards is an advantage if spelling isn't your thing.
The Sun (2014)
THANK you for transforming a tough spell of duty in Iraq.
The Sun (2010)
You use the keyboard to move your character, cast spells, interact and fight and the mouse to highlight targets.
The Sun (2007)
In the cruel world of high-end family law, a change of character can often spell the first sign of an impending split.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
spell
British English: spell /spɛl/ NOUN
period 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.
American English: spell time
Arabic: فَتْرَة
Brazilian Portuguese: período
Chinese: 一段时间
Croatian: dugotrajan
Czech: období krátké
Danish: periode
Dutch: periode
European Spanish: hechizo
Finnish: loitsu
French: laps
German: Zauberformel
Greek: ξόρκι
Italian: incantesimo
Japanese: 一時期 time
Korean: 기간 마술
Norwegian: fortryllelse
Polish: zaklęcie
European Portuguese: período
Romanian: interval
Russian: полоса
Latin American Spanish: temporada
Swedish: förtrollning
Thai: ช่วงเวลา
Turkish: büyü
Ukrainian: короткий проміжок часу
Vietnamese: khoảng thời gian ngắn diễn ra
British English: spell /spɛl/ NOUN
magic A spell is a situation in which events are controlled by a magical power.
They say a witch cast a spell on her.
American English: spell magic
Arabic: سِحْر
Brazilian Portuguese: feitiço
Chinese: 符咒
Croatian: čini
Czech: zaklínadlo
Danish: fortryllelse
Dutch: toverformule
European Spanish: temporada
Finnish: ajanjakso
French: sort
German: Zeitabschnitt
Greek: χρονική περίοδος
Italian: periodo
Japanese: 呪文 magic
Korean: 마법
Norwegian: periode
Polish: czary
European Portuguese: feitiço
Romanian: vrajă
Russian: заклинание
Latin American Spanish: hechizo
Swedish: stund
Thai: มนตร์คาถา
Turkish: dönem belirli bir süre
Ukrainian: заклинання
Vietnamese: phép thuật
British English: spell /spɛl/ VERB
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.
American English: spell
Arabic: يَتَهَجَّأُ
Brazilian Portuguese: soletrar
Chinese: 拼写
Croatian: sricati
Czech: hláskovat
Danish: stave
Dutch: spellen
European Spanish: deletrear
Finnish: kirjoittaa tavata
French: épeler
German: buchstabieren
Greek: συλλαβίζω
Italian: compitare
Japanese: つづる
Korean: 철자하다
Norwegian: stave
Polish: przeliterować
European Portuguese: soletrar
Romanian: a se scrie
Russian: писать или произносить (слово) по буквам
Latin American Spanish: deletrear
Swedish: stava
Thai: อ่านสะกดคำ
Turkish: telaffuz etmek
Ukrainian: писати чи вимовляти слово по літерах
Vietnamese: đánh vần
All related terms of 'spell'
dry spell
a prolonged period of dry weather
spell out
If you spell something out , you explain it in detail or in a very clear way.
dizzy spell
a short period during which you feel dizzy
magic spell
→ another name for spell 2 (sense 1 )
spell check
the act or an instance of using a → spell-checker
spell-checker
a word-processing program that reviews words in a document for misspellings
spell danger
Danger is the possibility that someone may be harmed or killed.
spell trouble
You can refer to problems or difficulties as trouble .
under a spell
held in or as if in a spell
cast a spell on
to put into, or as into, a trance
spell a paddock
to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow
under sb's spell
If you are under someone 's spell , you are so fascinated by them that you cannot think about anything else.
to cast a/its spell
If something or someone casts their spell on you or casts a spell on you, you are fascinated or charmed by them.
spellcheck
If you spellcheck something you have written on a computer , you use a special program to check whether you have made any spelling mistakes.
spellchecker
A spellchecker is a special program on a computer which you can use to check whether something you have written contains any spelling mistakes .
fainting fit
a faint ; a blackout
Chinese translation of 'spell'
spell
(spɛl)
Word forms:ptppspelledspelt
n(c)
(= period) 一段时(時)间(間) (yī duàn shíjiān)
(also magic spell) 咒语(語) (zhòuyǔ)
vt
[word]用字母拼 (yòng zìmǔ pīn)
[disaster, trouble]招致 (zhāozhì)
to cast a spell on sb[witch]用咒语(語)迷惑某人 (yòng zhòuyǔ míhuò mǒurén) (fig) 迷住某人 (mízhù mǒurén)
to be/fall under sb's spell被某人迷住 (bèi mǒurén mízhù)
he can't spell他不会(會)拼写(寫) (tā bùhuì pīnxiě)
(verb)
Definition
to indicate (a particular result)
The report spells more trouble.
Synonyms
indicate
The survey indicated that most old people are independent.
mean
The clouds don't necessarily mean a thunderstorm.
signify
The two approaches signified a sharp difference between the men.
suggest
The figures suggest that their success is conditional on this restriction.
promise
point to
imply
The meeting in no way implies a resumption of contact with the terrorists.
amount to
herald
Economists said the drop could herald a fall in consumer spending.
augur
Already there were problems. It didn't augur well.
presage
Diplomats fear the incidents presage a new chapter in the conflict.
portend
Comets, in Western tradition, always portend doom and gloom.
phrasal verb
See spell something out
1 (noun)
Definition
a sequence of words used to perform magic
Vile witch! She cast a spell on me!
Synonyms
incantation
huddled shapes whispering strange incantations
charm
They cross their fingers and spit over their shoulders as a charm against the evil eye.
sorcery
The man swore never to practise sorcery again, and was released.
exorcism
abracadabra
Justice here represents nothing more than magical abracadabra.
witchery
conjuration
makutu (New Zealand)
2 (noun)
Definition
the effect of a spell
The King also falls under her spell.
Synonyms
enchantment
an effective countercharm against enchantment by the faerie folk
magic
The singer believes he can still regain some of his old magic.
fascination
She had a charm and fascination all of her own.
glamour
Her air of mystery only added to her glamour.
allure
It's a game that has really lost its allure.
bewitchment
idiom
See cast a spell on someone
(noun)
Definition
a period of time of weather or activity
There has been a spell of dry weather.
Synonyms
period
a period of a few months
time
For a long time I didn't tell anyone.
term
a 12-month term of service
stretch
He would study for eight- to ten-hour stretches.
turn
Let each child have a turn at fishing.
course
In the course of the 1930s, steel production in Britain approximately doubled.
season
birds arriving for the breeding season
patch
His marriage is going through a rough patch.
interval
There was a long interval of silence.
bout
I was suffering with a bout of nerves.
stint
a five-year stint in Hong Kong
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abracadabra
Definition
a word used in magic spells, which is supposed to possess magic powers
Justice here represents nothing more than magical abracadabra.
Synonyms
spell,
magic,
charm,
chant,
witchcraft,
voodoo,
invocation,
sorcery,
incantation,
mumbo jumbo,
hocus-pocus,
conjuration,
makutu (New Zealand)
in the sense of allure
Definition
attractiveness or appeal
It's a game that has really lost its allure.
Synonyms
attractiveness,
appeal,
charm,
attraction,
lure,
temptation,
glamour,
persuasion,
enchantment,
enticement,
seductiveness
in the sense of augur
Definition
to be a good or bad sign of future events
Already there were problems. It didn't augur well.
Synonyms
bode,
promise,
predict,
herald,
signify,
foreshadow,
prophesy,
harbinger,
presage,
prefigure,
portend,
betoken,
be an omen of,
bespeak (archaic)
Synonyms of 'spell'
spell
Explore 'spell' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bout
Definition
a period of time spent doing something, such as drinking
I was suffering with a bout of nerves.
Synonyms
period,
time,
term,
fit,
session,
stretch,
spell,
turn,
patch,
interval,
stint
in the sense of charm
Definition
a magic spell
They cross their fingers and spit over their shoulders as a charm against the evil eye.
Synonyms
spell,
magic,
enchantment,
sorcery,
makutu (New Zealand)
in the sense of course
Definition
a period of time
In the course of the 1930s, steel production in Britain approximately doubled.
Synonyms
period,
time,
duration,
term,
passing,
sweep,
passage,
lapse
in the sense of fascination
She had a charm and fascination all of her own.
Synonyms
attraction,
pull,
spell,
magic,
charm,
lure,
glamour,
allure,
magnetism,
enchantment,
sorcery
in the sense of glamour
Definition
exciting or alluring charm or beauty
Her air of mystery only added to her glamour.
Synonyms
charm,
appeal,
beauty,
attraction,
fascination,
allure,
magnetism,
enchantment,
witchery,
bewitchment,
ravishment
in the sense of herald
Definition
to announce or signal the approach of
Economists said the drop could herald a fall in consumer spending.
Synonyms
indicate,
promise,
precede,
pave the way,
usher in,
harbinger,
presage,
portend,
foretoken
in the sense of imply
Definition
to suggest or involve as a necessary consequence
The meeting in no way implies a resumption of contact with the terrorists.
Synonyms
involve,
mean,
entail,
include,
require,
indicate,
import,
point to,
signify,
denote,
presuppose,
betoken
in the sense of interval
Definition
the period of time between two events
There was a long interval of silence.
Synonyms
period,
time,
spell,
term,
season,
space,
stretch,
pause,
span
in the sense of magic
Definition
any mysterious or extraordinary quality or power
The singer believes he can still regain some of his old magic.
Synonyms
charm,
power,
glamour,
fascination,
magnetism,
enchantment,
allurement,
mojo (slang)
in the sense of mean
Definition
to foretell
The clouds don't necessarily mean a thunderstorm.
Synonyms
presage,
promise,
herald,
foreshadow,
augur,
foretell,
portend,
betoken,
adumbrate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of patch
His marriage is going through a rough patch.
Synonyms
period,
time,
spell,
phase,
spot (British),
stretch
in the sense of portend
Definition
to be an omen of
Comets, in Western tradition, always portend doom and gloom.
Synonyms
foretell,
promise,
threaten,
indicate,
predict,
point to,
herald,
warn of,
omen,
bode,
foreshadow,
bespeak,
augur,
harbinger,
presage,
forewarn,
betoken,
prognosticate,
adumbrate,
foretoken,
vaticinate (rare)
in the sense of presage
Definition
to be a warning or sign of something about to happen
Diplomats fear the incidents presage a new chapter in the conflict.
Synonyms
portend,
point to,
warn of,
signify,
omen,
bode,
foreshadow,
augur,
betoken,
adumbrate,
forebode,
foretoken
in the sense of season
Definition
any definite or indefinite period
birds arriving for the breeding season
Synonyms
period,
time,
term,
spell,
time of year
in the sense of signify
Definition
to indicate or suggest
The two approaches signified a sharp difference between the men.
Synonyms
indicate,
show,
mean,
matter,
suggest,
announce,
evidence,
represent,
express,
imply,
exhibit,
communicate,
intimate,
stand for,
proclaim,
convey,
be a sign of,
symbolize,
denote,
connote,
portend,
betoken,
flag up
in the sense of sorcery
Definition
witchcraft or magic
The man swore never to practise sorcery again, and was released.
Synonyms
black magic,
witchcraft,
black art,
necromancy,
spell,
magic,
charm,
wizardry,
enchantment,
divination,
incantation,
witchery
in the sense of stint
Definition
a given amount of work
a five-year stint in Hong Kong
Synonyms
term,
time,
turn,
bit,
period,
share,
tour,
shift,
stretch,
spell,
quota,
assignment
in the sense of stretch
Definition
extent in time
He would study for eight- to ten-hour stretches.
Synonyms
period,
time,
spell,
stint,
run,
term,
bit,
space
in the sense of suggest
Definition
to give a hint of
The figures suggest that their success is conditional on this restriction.
Synonyms
indicate,
show,
demonstrate,
give the impression,
lead you to believe
in the sense of term
Definition
a period of time
a 12-month term of service
Synonyms
period,
time,
spell,
while,
season,
space,
interval,
span,
duration,
incumbency
Additional synonyms
in the sense of time
Definition
at the speed of one's choice
For a long time I didn't tell anyone.
Synonyms
period,
while,
term,
season,
space,
stretch,
spell,
phase,
interval,
span,
period of time,
stint,
duration,
length of time,
time frame,
timeline
in the sense of turn
Definition
the right or opportunity to do something in an agreed order or succession