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

Her wardrobe functioned as parallel messaging to her husband's politics, subtly reinforcing sustainability, attention to craft, and a respect for small, independent designers without needing to be spelled out. —Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026

The announcement came alongside the public release of two OCC reports that spell out the underlying allegations. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 5 Jan. 2026

The Congressional Budget Office, for example, releases multiple projection scenarios with each of its reports based on different assumptions that are spelled out. —Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026

For now, there’s no plan spelled out to have American troops or administrators in Venezuela. —Catherine Lucey, Fortune, 4 Jan. 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