spell

To say or write the letters of a word in the correct order.

• Can you spell your name?
• She spelled the word slowly for me.
• I always spell that street name wrong.

Common phrases: spell a word, spell someone’s name, spell it correctly

To use the correct letters when writing words.

• He can spell well.
• I learned to spell at school.
• She writes interesting stories but sometimes spells badly.

Common phrases: spell correctly, spell well, spell badly

If letters do this, they form a particular word in that order.

• These letters spell my name.
• The wooden blocks spelled out a short message.
• What word do these letters spell?

Similar words: form

Common phrases: spell a word, spell someone’s name

To explain something clearly and in detail.

• Please spell out the rules.
• The letter spelled out exactly what we needed to do.
• Must I spell it out for you?

How to use it: spell something out for someone (Please spell the instructions out for me.)

Similar words: explain, clarify

Common phrases: spell out something, spell something out

To be a sign that something, usually bad, will happen.

• This could spell trouble.
• The lost contract spelled disaster for their business.
• A new owner may spell the end of the old shop.

How to use it: spell something for someone/something (These delays could spell disaster for the company.)

Similar words: mean, signal

Common phrases: spell trouble, spell disaster, spell the end

Words believed to have magic power, or the magic effect they produce.

• The wizard cast a spell.
• A kiss broke the spell on the princess.
• Everyone in the castle was under a spell.

How to use it: cast a spell on someone/something (The witch cast a spell on the prince.)

Similar words: enchantment, charm

Common phrases: cast a spell, break a spell, under a spell

A period of time, sometimes spent resting or away from work.

• We sat outside for a spell.
• She took a short spell away from work.
• He stayed with us for a spell last summer.

Similar words: period, while

Common phrases: a short spell, rest a spell, for a spell

A period when particular weather, feelings, or other conditions continue.

• The dry spell lasted weeks.
• She felt better after a brief spell of dizziness.
• Another cold spell is expected next week.

How to use it: a spell of something (We had a spell of unusually warm weather.)

Similar words: period, stretch

Common phrases: a dry spell, a cold spell, spell of something