Word
spiel
US/ˈspiɫ/
UK/spˈiːl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a long, practiced talk meant to sell you something or win you over. It often sounds smooth but a little too rehearsed.
n. a lengthy, rehearsed speech intended to persuade, promote, or explain, often with an implication of slickness or insincerity.
Examples
“He gives his sales spiel to every customer.”
“The agent launches into her usual spiel about schools and transport as soon as we walk in.”
“Despite the candidate's polished spiel about renewal and reform, the audience listens with folded arms, having heard similar promises before.”
Examples
simple
“He gives his sales spiel to every customer.”
contextual
“The agent launches into her usual spiel about schools and transport as soon as we walk in.”
complex
“Despite the candidate's polished spiel about renewal and reform, the audience listens with folded arms, having heard similar promises before.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “spiel” in context.
Verb
01. deliver spiel
“He stood up and delivered his spiel about joining the gym.”
verb + noun
02. fall for spiel
“Don't fall for his spiel about getting rich with no effort.”
verb + prep + noun
03. launch into spiel
“He launched into his spiel about market freedom before we sat down.”
verb + prep + noun
04. recite spiel
“She could recite her spiel for donors without pausing for breath.”
verb + noun
05. see through spiel
“Voters quickly saw through the candidate's empty spiel.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. lengthy spiel
“We endured his lengthy spiel on the benefits of crypto investing.”
adj + noun
07. rehearsed spiel
“She delivered her rehearsed spiel about why she deserved a promotion.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bit of spiel
“His welcome was just a bit of spiel to make donors feel special.”
noun + prep + noun
09. campaign spiel
“Her campaign spiel promises lower taxes and better schools.”
noun + noun
10. sales spiel
“We listened politely to the agent's sales spiel about insurance.”
noun + noun
11. give the sales spiel
“The clerk gave the sales spiel about extended warranties.”
12. launch into a lengthy spiel
“At dinner, he launched into a lengthy spiel about his startup.”
Etymology
Borrowed from German Spiel (“game, performance”) or Yiddish שפּיל (shpil), both from Middle High German spil, from Old High German spil, from Proto-West Germanic *spil. Cognate with Old English spilian (“to revel, play”). See speel.
From the Scots spiel (“game, play; curling match”) from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German spel.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/spiel