Spell
/spel/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo form a word with letters in the correct order.
/spel/
To write or say the letters of a word in the correct order.
Can you spell your last name?
💡 Simply: Imagine you're helping a robot learn how to write. If you're spelling, you're telling it which letters to put in the word, one by one, like 'c-a-t'!
👶 For kids: To say or write the letters of a word the right way, like C-A-T.
More Examples
He misspelled the word 'receive'.
She practiced spelling every night before bed.
How It's Used
"The teacher asked the students to spell their names."
"The software checks your spelling as you type."
To use words, formulas, or incantations to bring about a particular effect, typically a magical one.
/spel/
To produce a particular effect (often magical).
The sorcerer cast a powerful spell.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're telling a secret, magic code to make something happen, like making your friends laugh or feeling sleepy. That's a spell!
👶 For kids: Like a magic word that makes something happen.
More Examples
The artist's performance cast a spell over the audience.
She tried to spell out the reason.
How It's Used
"The witch cast a spell to make the prince fall asleep."
"The music cast a spell over the audience."
A set of words believed to have magic power.
/spel/
A word or words believed to have magic power.
The witch uttered a powerful spell.
💡 Simply: If someone says a special word or phrase to make something happen, like in a fairy tale, that special word is a spell!
👶 For kids: A magic word that makes something happen.
More Examples
The fairy godmother used a spell to turn the pumpkin into a carriage.
She was under a spell of enchantment.
How It's Used
"The princess broke the evil queen's spell."
"The beauty of the sunset was a spell that held him."
A period of time.
/spel/
A period of time, often of a specified duration.
The team went through a winning spell.
💡 Simply: Imagine a short time, like a little break or a pause. That could be described as a spell!
👶 For kids: A little while.
More Examples
They had a cold spell during the winter.
He took a spell of rest.
How It's Used
"The country endured a spell of bad weather."
"The pitcher had a long spell on the mound."
Idioms & expressions
under a spell
Affected by magic or charm; captivated or entranced.
"The prince fell under a spell and couldn't wake up."
cast a spell over
To have a powerful influence or charm over someone or something.
"The beautiful sunset cast a spell over the whole beach."
break the spell
To end or disrupt a period of inactivity or enchantment.
"She decided to break the spell of boredom by starting a new hobby."
From Old English *spell* ('story, narrative, tale'), related to *spelian* ('to tell, narrate'). Evolved to mean 'to recite or write the letters of a word in correct order'.
The word 'spell' has ancient roots, evolving from its initial meaning of 'a story' to its current usage.
Memory tip
Picture a little detective arranging letter tiles in the right order to solve a word puzzle.
Word Origin
"story, narrative, tale"