spell out

verb

spelled out; spelling out; spells out
Synonyms of spell outnext

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

Examples of spell out in a Sentence

the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The statute does not clearly spell out what would happen if commissioners failed to approve a nominee, leaving open questions about how a stalemate would be resolved. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025 Naturally, the whole poem is an acrostic, spelling out S-T-E-P-H-E-N S-O-N-D-H-E-I-M. Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025 The dash to the finish line, which included a crossword puzzle spelling out Yankee Stadium, involved a trek across the Big Apple. Christopher Kuhagen, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025 The ceasefire does not spell out a path to resolve the underlying basis of the dispute, the longstanding differences over where the border should run. CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spell out

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spell out was in 1940

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spell%20out. Accessed 25 Dec. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on spell out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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