spin

noun

UK /spɪn/

Word Forms

singular	spin
plural	spins

1
countable/uncountable a quick turning movement round and round
Give the wheel a spin.
Synonyms and related words
Circular and turning movements and about-turns
turn
spin
swirl
1. 1a
  uncountable the movement of a ball that turns round and round after it has been thrown or hit
  The ball had a lot of spin on it.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to the ball in sports and games
  backspin
  bouncy
  dead
2. 1b
  singular the movement of an aircraft that turns as it falls with its front pointing towards the ground
  go into a spin:
  The plane suddenly went into a spin.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to operating aircraft
  aerobatics
  aerospace
  airborne
2
singular/uncountable informala way of presenting information, especially a way that makes something seem good or less bad
Not even the cleverest politician could put a positive spin on this.
Synonyms and related words
Writing or speech style
academic writing
delivery
diction
3
countable informala short journey for pleasure in a car
go for a spin:
We’re going for a spin in Al’s new car.
take a car for a spin:
Why don’t you take the car for a spin?
Synonyms and related words
Journeys
awayday
circuit
commute

phrases

in a spin

spin

noun

US /spɪn/

Word Forms

singular	spin
plural	spins

1
countable/uncountable a quick turning movement around and around
Give the wheel a spin.
Synonyms and related words
Circular and turning movements and about-turns
turn
spin
about-face
1. 1a
  uncountable the movement of a ball that turns around and around after it has been thrown or hit
  The ball had a lot of spin on it.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to the ball in sports and games
  backspin
  bouncy
  dead
2. 1b
  singular the movement of an aircraft that turns as it falls with its front pointing toward the ground
  go into a spin:
  The airplane suddenly went into a spin.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to operating aircraft
  aerobatics
  aerospace
  airborne
2
countable informala short trip for pleasure in a car
go for a spin:
We’re going for a spin in Al’s new car.
take a car for a spin:
Why don’t you take the car for a spin?
Synonyms and related words
Journeys
awayday
circuit
commute
3
singular/uncountable informala way of presenting information, especially a way that makes something seem good or less bad
Not even the craftiest politician could put a positive spin on this.
Synonyms and related words
Writing or speech style
academic writing
delivery
diction

spin

verb

UK /spɪn/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	spin
he/she/it	spins
present participle	spinning
past tense	spun
past participle	spun

1
intransitive to turn round and round quickly
The Earth spins on its axis.
The dancers were spinning in circles.
Synonyms and related words
To move in circles or twists
spin
revolve
whirl
1. 1a
  transitive to make something turn round and round quickly
  Spin the wheel with your hand.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move in circles or twists
  spin
  revolve
  whirl
2. 1b
  intransitive when a washing machine spins, it squeezes water out of the clothes by turning the drum round and round quickly
  Synonyms and related words
  Washing, drying and ironing clothes
  air
  boil
  the cleaners
3. 1c
  intransitive/transitive to turn your head or body quickly so that it faces the opposite direction, or to turn someone quickly so that they face you
  He spun on his heel and walked quickly away.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change position
  turn
  spin
  overturn
2
intransitive/transitive to twist fibres of a material such as cotton or wool into thread in order to make cloth
She spins all her own wool.
She taught me how to spin.
Synonyms and related words
Spinning, weaving and basketry
basketry
basketwork
cane
1. 2a
  transitive if an insect or spider spins something such as a web, it makes it from thread that it produces in its body
  The class watched the caterpillar spin its cocoon.
  Synonyms and related words
  Insect behaviour
  alight
  beat
  be on the wing
3
intransitive if your head spins, you feel confused or ill
Synonyms and related words
To have or develop an illness or symptom
suffer
get
contract
4
transitive informalto present information in a particular way, especially in a way that makes something seem good or less bad
How do you think the candidate will spin this story?
Synonyms and related words
To exaggerate and overstate
aggrandise
aggrandize
exaggerate
5
intransitive to go somewhere quickly in a car, on a bicycle etc
spin past/by/away:
A car went spinning past us.
Synonyms and related words
Riding a bicycle or motorcycle
backpedal
bicycle clips
bike
Synonyms and related words
To drive, or to operate a vehicle
back up
belt up
be on someone’s tail
6
transitive mainly literaryto tell a story, especially one that is not true, in an interesting and exciting way
He spun a ridiculous tale about having worked for the secret services in his youth.
Synonyms and related words
Telling stories
narrate
weave
retell

phrasal verbs

spin off

spin out

spin round

spin

verb

US /spɪn/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	spin
he/she/it	spins
present participle	spinning
past tense	spun
past participle	spun

1
intransitive to turn around and around quickly
The Earth spins on its axis.
The dancers were spinning in circles.
Synonyms and related words
To move in circles or twists
spin
revolve
whirl
1. 1a
  transitive to make something turn around and around quickly
  Spin the wheel with your hand.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move in circles or twists
  spin
  revolve
  whirl
2. 1b
  intransitive/transitive to turn your head or body quickly so that it faces the opposite direction, or to turn someone quickly so that they face you
  He spun on his heel and walked quickly away.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change position
  turn
  spin
  overturn
3. 1c
  intransitive when a washing machine spins, it squeezes water out of the clothes by turning the drum around and around quickly
  Synonyms and related words
  Washing, drying and ironing clothes
  air
  boil
  the cleaners
2
intransitive if your head spins, you feel confused or sick
Synonyms and related words
To have or develop an illness or symptom
suffer
get
contract
3
transitive informalto present information in a particular way, especially in a way that makes something seem good or less bad
How do you think the candidate will spin this story?
Synonyms and related words
To exaggerate and overstate
aggrandise
aggrandize
exaggerate
4
intransitive to go somewhere quickly in a car, on a bicycle, etc.
spin past/by/away:
A car went spinning past us.
Synonyms and related words
Riding a bicycle or motorcycle
backpedal
bicycle clips
bike
Synonyms and related words
To drive, or to operate a vehicle
back up
block in
box in
5
intransitive/transitive to twist fibers of a material such as cotton or wool into thread in order to make cloth
She spins all her own wool.
She taught me how to spin.
Synonyms and related words
Spinning, weaving and basketry
basketry
cane
distaff
1. 5a
  transitive if an insect or spider spins something such as a web, it makes it from thread that it produces in its body
  The class watched the caterpillar spin its cocoon.
  Synonyms and related words
  Insect behavior
  alight
  beat
  be on the wing
6
transitive mainly literaryto tell a story, especially one that is not true, in an interesting and exciting way
He spun a ridiculous tale about having worked for the secret services in his youth.
Synonyms and related words
Telling stories
narrate
weave
retell

phrasal verbs

spin around

spin off

spin out

spin ​‌

spin ​‌

spin ​‌‌

spin ​‌‌

spin

spin

spin

spin