spill
1 of 3verb
ˈspil 
spilled ˈspild ˈspilt also spilt ˈspilt ; spilling
ˈspilt also spilt ˈspilt ; spilling transitive verb
1
: to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted
2
a
: to cause (blood) to be lost by wounding
b
archaic : kill, destroy
3
: to let out : divulge
spill a secret
4
a
: to relieve (a sail) from the pressure of the wind so as to reef or furl it
b
: to relieve the pressure of (wind) on a sail by coming about or by adjusting the sail with lines
5
: to throw off or out
a horse spilled him
intransitive verb
1
a
: to flow, run, or fall out, over, or off and become wasted, scattered, or lost
water spilling over the dam
b
: to cause or allow something to spill
2
: to spread profusely or beyond bounds
crowds spilled into the streets
3
: to fall from one's place (as on a horse)
spillable
ˈspi-lə-bəl
adjective spiller noun
spill
2 of 3noun (1)
1
: the act or an instance of spilling
especially : a fall from a horse or vehicle or an erect position
2
: something spilled
spill
3 of 3noun (2)
1
: a wooden splinter
2
: a small roll or twist of paper or slip of wood for lighting a fire
Synonyms
Verb
- bare
- disclose
- discover
- divulge
- expose
- let on (about)
- reveal
- tell
- unbosom
- uncloak
- uncover
- unmask
- unveil
Noun (1)
- fall
- slip
- stumble
- tumble
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb I accidentally spilled coffee all over my new suit. Clean up the flour you spilled on the floor. a puddle of spilled water Water spilled over the dam. She opened the door and light spilled into the room. an interviewer who gets celebrities to spill their secrets Come on, spill it. Who gave you the money? See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Old English spillan; akin to Old English spildan to destroy and perhaps to Latin spolium animal skin, Greek sphallein to cause to fall
Noun (2)
Middle English spille; akin to Middle Low German spīle thin stick, peg
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2b
Noun (1)
circa 1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing spill
Kids Definition
spill 1 of 2
verb
ˈspil
spilled
ˈspild
also spilt ˈspilt
; spilling 1
: to cause or allow to fall, flow, or run out so as to be wasted or scattered
I knocked the glass over and spilled my milk.
2
: to flow or run out, over, or off and become wasted or scattered
The milk spilled.
So I always go as far as the ford, where the river spills across the path …
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh3
: to cause (blood) to flow by wounding
4
: to make known
I accidentally spilled the secret.
spill
2 of 2noun
1
: an act of spilling
2
: a fall especially from a horse or vehicle
3
: something spilled
Please mop up the spill on the floor.
spill the beans
phrase
as in gossip
to relate sometimes questionable or secret information of a personal nature We knew they wouldn't spill the beans about the wedding until we were ready to announce it. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- gossip
- talk
- dish
- tattle
- wag
- spill
- let on
- blab
- tell
- divulge
- noise (about or abroad)
- snitch
- imply
- circulate
- tip (off)
- disclose
- hint
- report
- reveal
- rumor
- intimate
- insinuate
- babble
- inform
- bandy (about)
- squeal
- blabber
- confide
- suggest
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shut up
- clam up
- pull together
- pull toy
- pull up
- pull up a chair
- pull up short
- pull up stakes
- pull wires
- pull-down
- pull-down menu
- pull-in torque
- pull-out torque
- pull-through torque
- pull-up
- pull-ups
- pull/yank someone's chain
- pullable
- pullback
- pullbacks
- pullboat
- pulldevil
- pulldoo
- pulled
- pulled a face
- pulled ahead
- pulled apart