spelling
[ spel-ing ]
/ ˈspɛl ɪŋ /
noun
Words nearby spelling
Definition for spelling (2 of 3)
spell
1
[ spel ]
/ spɛl /
verb (used with object), spelled or spelt, spell·ing.
verb (used without object), spelled or spelt, spell·ing.
to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.: He spells poorly.
to express words by letters, especially correctly.
Verb Phrases
spell down,
to outspell others in a spelling match.
spell out,
- to explain something explicitly, so that the meaning is unmistakable: Must I spell it out for you?
- to write out in full or enumerate the letters of which a word is composed: The title “Ph.D.” is seldom spelled out.
Origin of spell
1
1250–1300; Middle English
spellen < Old French
espeller < Germanic; compare Old English
spellian to talk, announce (derivative of
spell
spell2), Old High German
-spellōn, Old Norse
spjalla, Gothic
spillōn
OTHER WORDS FROM spell
spell·a·ble, adjective un·spell·a·ble, adjectiveDefinition for spelling (3 of 3)
spell
3
[ spel ]
/ spɛl /
noun
verb (used with object)
to take the place of for a time; relieve: Let me spell you at the wheel.
Australian.
to declare or give a rest period to.
verb (used without object)
Australian.
to have or take a rest period.
Origin of spell
3
1585–95; (v.) alteration of earlier
spele to stand instead of, relieve, spare, Middle English
spelen, Old English
spelian; akin to Old English
spala, gespelia a substitute; (noun) akin to the v. (perhaps continuing Old English
gespelia)
Example sentences from the Web for spelling
British Dictionary definitions for spelling (1 of 4)
spelling
/ (ˈspɛlɪŋ) /
noun
the act or process of writing words by using the letters conventionally accepted for their formation; orthography
the art or study of orthography
the actual way in which a word is spelt
the ability of a person to spell
John's spelling is good
British Dictionary definitions for spelling (2 of 4)
spell
1
/ (spɛl) /
verb spells, spelling, spelt or spelled
to write or name in correct order the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
(tr)
(of letters) to go to make up the conventionally established form of (a word) when arranged correctly
d-o-g spells dog
(tr)
to indicate or signify
such actions spell disaster for our cause
See also
spell out
Derived forms of spell
spellable, adjectiveWord Origin for spell
C13: from Old French
espeller, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse
spialla to talk, Middle High German
spellen
British Dictionary definitions for spelling (3 of 4)
spell
2
/ (spɛl) /
noun
a verbal formula considered as having magical force
any influence that can control the mind or character; fascination
a state induced by or as if by the pronouncing of a spell; trance
to break the spell
under a spell
held in or as if in a spell
verb
(tr) rare
to place under a spell
Word Origin for spell
Old English
spell speech; related to Old Norse
spjall tale, Gothic
spill, Old High German
spel
British Dictionary definitions for spelling (4 of 4)
spell
3
/ (spɛl) /
noun
an indeterminate, usually short, period of time
a spell of cold weather
a period or tour of duty after which one person or group relieves another
Scot, Australian and NZ
a period or interval of rest
verb
(tr)
to take over from (a person) for an interval of time; relieve temporarily
spell a paddock NZ
to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow
Word Origin for spell
Old English
spelian to take the place of, of obscure origin
Idioms and Phrases with spelling
spell