Definition of spell
(Entry 1 of 5)
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
: 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)Definition of spell (Entry 3 of 5)
: 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)Definition of spell (Entry 5 of 5)
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quizWords of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizHow Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quizPlay the game
Share spell
Time Traveler for spell
The first known use of spell was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century