spell
noun
1. a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
Similar word(s): enchantment, trance
Definition categories: state
2. a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
- a spell of work
Similar word(s): go, tour, turn
Definition categories: time, shift
3. a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
- a spell of good weather
Similar word(s): patch, piece, while
Definition categories: time
4. a verbal formula believed to have magical force
- he whispered a spell as he moved his hands
Similar word(s): charm
Definition categories: communication, language, speech
Sentences with spell as a noun:
- He cast a spell to cure warts.
- under a spell
verb
1. orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
- How do you spell this word?
- We had to spell out our names for the police officer
Definition categories: communication, recite
2. indicate or signify
- I'm afraid this spells trouble!
Similar word(s): import
Definition categories: communication, intend, mean
3. write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
- He spelled the word wrong in this letter
Similar word(s): write
Definition categories: creation
4. relieve (someone) from work by taking a turn
- She spelled her husband at the wheel
Definition categories: social, relieve
5. place under a spell
Definition categories: communication, bewitch, enchant, glamour, hex, jinx, witch
6. take turns working
- the workers spell every four hours
Definition categories: change, alternate
Sentences with spell as a verb:
- I find it difficult to spell because I'm dyslexic.
- The letters “a”, “n” and “d” spell “and”.
- This spells trouble.
- Please spell it out for me.
- to spell the helmsman
- They spelled the horses and rested in the shade of some trees near a brook.