# spell

/ˈspɛɫ/ (US) · /spˈɛl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spell
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to write letters

verb · CEFR A1

to say or write the letters of a word in the correct order.

For teachers: to name, write, or signal in order the letters of a word or part of a word.

- Could you please spell your last name for the receptionist?
- The teacher asked the students to spell the most difficult vocabulary words from the chapter before the quiz began.

### 2. to mean or result in

verb · CEFR B2

to mean that something, usually something bad, is going to happen.

For teachers: to signify or lead to a particular result, typically an undesirable one.

- The dark clouds in the distance could spell trouble for our hiking trip.
- Economists warned that the sudden rise in oil prices could spell disaster for the recovering manufacturing sector.

### 3. to explain clearly

verb · CEFR B2

to explain something in a very clear and detailed way.

For teachers: to make something explicit or to explain in detail; often used with the particle 'out'.

- You don't need to spell out every detail; I understand the main idea.
- The contract spells out the exact responsibilities of each partner to avoid any future legal disputes.

Usage: Often used as the phrasal verb 'spell out'.

### 4. magic

noun · CEFR B1

a piece of magic or a set of secret words that have magical power.

For teachers: a spoken word, formula, or form of words held to have magic power; an incantation.

- In the story, the witch cast a spell on the prince to turn him into a frog.
- The ancient legends describe a powerful spell that could only be broken by a selfless act of courage.

### 5. a short period

noun · CEFR B1

a short period of time, often spent doing a specific activity or experiencing a type of weather.

For teachers: a definite or indefinite period of time, often characterized by a particular activity, condition, or weather pattern.

- We had a brief spell of warm weather in the middle of October.
- After a long spell of unemployment, he finally secured a position at a local engineering firm.

### 6. a turn of work

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a turn or shift of work.

For teachers: a period of work or duty; a shift.

- The sailors took a four-hour spell at the wheel during the storm.
- Each worker was required to complete a grueling spell in the mines before being promoted to a supervisory role.

### 7. musical notation

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to write a musical note in a specific way using its name.

For teachers: to notate a pitch or interval using a specific enharmonic name.

- The composer chose to spell the note as an E-flat rather than a D-sharp.
- In this specific harmonic context, it is more theoretically accurate to spell the chord with a diminished seventh.

Usage: Used when choosing between enharmonic equivalents like G-sharp and A-flat.

## Examples

- We are expecting a short cold spell next week.
- After a brief spell as a junior reporter, she decided to pursue a career in law instead.
- The region has suffered through a prolonged dry spell, leaving farmers concerned about the viability of their autumn harvests if the rain does not arrive soon.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.