# spilling

/ˈspɪɫɪŋ/ (US) · /spˈɪlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spilling
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. liquid falling out

verb · CEFR B1

accidentally letting liquid flow over the edge of a cup or container.

For teachers: the act of allowing a liquid to flow or fall from a container unintentionally. Often used in the progressive aspect to describe an ongoing accident.

- Be careful with that full glass because you are spilling water on the rug.
- The waiter was so distracted by the noise that he didn't notice he was spilling wine over the edge of the guest's glass.

Usage: Often followed by the prepositions 'on', 'over', or 'out'.

### 2. crowds moving out

verb · CEFR B2

when a large group of people moves out of a building or space all at once.

For teachers: the movement of a crowd or large volume of people exiting a confined space in a fluid, disorganized manner.

- After the concert ended, thousands of fans were spilling out of the stadium into the streets.
- As the final whistle blew, jubilant supporters began spilling onto the pitch, overwhelming the security staff who were trying to maintain order.

Usage: Usually takes 'out of' or 'into' to indicate direction.

### 3. the act of dropping liquid

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of dropping or spreading liquid or small things like grain.

For teachers: the action of dropping, leaking, or spreading out of a fluid or particulate matter from a container.

- The constant spilling of grain during transport was costing the farm a lot of money.
- The environmental report focused on the accidental spilling of chemicals into the local river system during the factory's renovation.

Usage: Used as a gerund or verbal noun.

## Examples

- He is spilling his coffee because the cup is too full.
- The truck is spilling gravel onto the highway, creating a dangerous situation for the cars driving behind it.
- Water was spilling over the edge of the fountain, drenching the nearby pavement and creating a slippery hazard for unsuspecting pedestrians.

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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.