ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spins

v. · n.
US //ˈspɪnz// UK //spˈɪnz// spins
  1. 1 to rotate quickly (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to turn around and around very fast.

    to rotate or cause to rotate rapidly around an axis.

    Example

    The dancer spins across the stage during the final part of the show.

    Example

    The turbine spins at thousands of revolutions per minute, generating enough electricity to power the entire coastal district.
  2. 2 to tell a story (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to tell a long or complicated story, often one that is made up.

    to draw out or produce a narrative, often involving fabrication or creative embellishment.

    Example

    He often spins tall tales about his adventures in the mountains.

    Example

    The novelist skillfully spins a complex web of intrigue, keeping the reader guessing until the final chapter.
  3. 3 fast turns (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    more than one act of turning around quickly.

    plural instances of rapid rotational movements.

    Example

    The figure skater performed several perfect spins during her routine.

    Example

    The pilot practiced controlled spins to ensure he could recover the aircraft in the event of an emergency stall.
  4. 4 feeling dizzy (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Medicine

    a dizzy feeling where you think the room is turning around you.

    a sensation of vertigo or dizziness, typically resulting from overconsumption of alcohol or a physical ailment.

    Example

    He lay down on the bed because he had the spins after the party.

    Example

    After the carnival ride stopped, she sat on the bench for ten minutes waiting for the spins to subside.

    Usage

    Usually used with 'the' as in 'the spins'.

Last updated June 20, 2026