spell

verb (1)

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\ ˈspel

spelled\ ˈspeld

, ˈspelt

\; spelling

Definition of spell

(Entry 1 of 5)

transitive verb

1a(1) : to name the letters of in order also : to write or print the letters of in order

(2) : to write or print the letters of in a particular way

b : to make up (a word) What word do these letters spell?

c : write sense 1b Catnip is spelled as one word.

2 : to add up to : mean crop failure was likely to spell stark famine— Stringfellow Barr

3 : to find out by study : come to understand —often used with outit requires some pains to spell out those decorations— F. J. Mather

4 : to read slowly and with difficulty —often used with out

intransitive verb

: to form words with letters teach children to spell also : to spell words in a certain way spells the way he speaks

spell

noun (1)

Definition of spell (Entry 2 of 5)

1a : a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power

b : a state of enchantment

2 : a strong compelling influence or attraction

spell

verb (2)

\ ˈspel

spelled\ ˈspeld

\; spelling

Definition of spell (Entry 3 of 5)

transitive verb

: to put under a spell

spell

noun (2)

Definition of spell (Entry 4 of 5)

1a : an indeterminate period of time waited a spell before advancing also : a continuous period of time did a spell in prison

b : a stretch of a specified type of weather

2 : a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder a spell of coughing fainting spells

3a : a period spent in a job or occupation

b chiefly Australia : a period of rest from work, activity, or use

4a : one's turn at work

b archaic : a shift of workers

spell

verb (3)

spelled\ ˈspeld

\; spelling

Definition of spell (Entry 5 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to take the place of for a time : relieve we spell each other every two hours

2 : rest

intransitive verb

1 : to work in turns

2 chiefly Australia : to rest from an activity for a time

History and Etymology for spell

Verb (1)

Middle English, to mean, signify, read by spelling out letters, from Anglo-French espeleir, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English spellian to relate, spell talk

Noun (1)

Middle English, talk, tale, from Old English; akin to Old High German spel talk, tale

Noun (2)

probably alteration of Middle English spale substitute, from Old English spala

Verb (3)

Middle English spelen, from Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala substitute

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Cite this Entry

“Spell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spell. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for spell

spell

verb

\ ˈspel

spelled; spelling

Kids Definition of spell

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : to name, write, or print in order the letters of a word

2 : to make up the letters of C-A-T spells the word “cat.”

3 : to have (such) a spelling My name is Lynne spelled with an E.

4 : to amount to : mean Another drought would spell famine.

spell

noun

Kids Definition of spell (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a spoken word or group of words believed to have magic power : charm

2 : a very strong influence Their talking broke the music's spell.

spell

noun

Kids Definition of spell (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : a short period of time Come and sit a spell.

2 : a stretch of a specified kind of weather a dry spell a warm spell

3 : a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder fainting spells

4 : a person's turn at work or duty

5 : a period spent in a job or occupation After a spell of teaching, she went back to sales.

spell

verb

spelled; spelling

Kids Definition of spell (Entry 4 of 4)

: to take the place of for a time : relieve spell a person at shoveling Grandma … took the paddle out of her hand. “I'll spell you, Wilma.”— Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder

spell

noun

\ ˈspel