spell out

verb

spelled out; spelling out; spells out

transitive verb

1

: to make plain

spelled out the orders in detail

2

: to write or print in letters and in full

numbers are to be spelled out

Synonyms of spell out

• explain
• illustrate
• clarify
• demonstrate

Examples of spell out in a Sentence

the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man

Recent Examples on the Web

Giant letters outside the restaurant spell out A-G-A-V-E-S, its new name. —Jenna Thompson april 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026

Trump did not spell out the word in full in his post, instead opting to lop off the final G. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026

While the agreements do not spell out the details of the work Epstein did for the Rothschilds, an earlier draft of the documents reveals more information, the Herald found. —Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026

After reading the blow-by-blow account spelled out in those texts, on October 16, 2023, investigators took action. —Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spell out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

spell out

verb

1

: to make very plain

our duties were spelled out

2

: to write or print in letters and in full