spell out

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spell out verb (tr, adverb)

1. to make clear, distinct, or explicit; clarify in detail: let me spell out the implications
2. to read laboriously or with difficulty, working out each word letter by letter
3. to discern by study; puzzle out

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

spell¹ /spɛl/   v., spelled or spelt/spɛlt/  spell•ing. 

1. Linguistics to name, write, or otherwise give the letters, in order, of (a word, syllable, etc.): [~ + object]
   Did I spell your name right?
   [no object]
   How did you learn to spell so well?
2. Linguistics, (of letters) to form (a word, syllable, etc.):
   [not: be + ~-ing* ~ + object] Y-e-s spells yes.
3. to read or say (a word) letter by letter or with difficulty: [~ + out + object]
   Spell out your name for me.
   [~ + object + out]
   to spell some words out.
4. to signify;
   amount to;
   mean or signal:
   [not: be + ~-ing* ~ + object] This delay spells disaster for the business.
5. spell out, to explain something plainly: [~ + object + out]
   Must I spell it out for you? Our engagement is broken!
   [~ + out + object]
   Would someone spell out for me just what this crisis will do to our company?

spell² /spɛl/   n. [countable]

1. a word or phrase believed to have magic power;
   an incantation:
   uttering charms and spells.
2. a state or period of enchantment caused by magic power:
   living under a spell.
3. any strong influence;
   fascination:
   [usually: singular] under the spell of music.

spell³ /spɛl/   n. [countable]

1. a continuous period of activity:
   You've been driving all day; let someone else take a spell at the wheel.
2. a bout or fit of anything experienced:
   a spell of coughing.
3. an indefinite period:
   Come visit us for a spell.
4. a period of weather of a certain kind:
   a hot spell.

v. [~ + object]

5. to take the place of for a time;
   relieve:
   Let me spell you at the wheel.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spell¹  (spel), v., spelled or spelt, spell•ing. 
v.t. 

1. Linguistics to name, write, or otherwise give the letters, in order, of (a word, syllable, etc.):
   Did I spell your name right?
2. Linguistics, (of letters) to form (a word, syllable, etc.):
   The letters spelled a rather rude word.
3. to read letter by letter or with difficulty (often fol. by out):
   She painfully spelled out the message.
4. to discern or find, as if by reading or study (often fol. by out).
5. to signify;
   amount to:
   This delay spells disaster for us.

v.i. 

6. Linguistics to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.:
   He spells poorly.
7. Linguistics to express words by letters, esp. correctly.
8. Education spell down, to outspell others in a spelling match.
9. spell out:
   • to explain something explicitly, so that the meaning is unmistakable:
     Must I spell it out for you?
   • to write out in full or enumerate the letters of which a word is composed:
     The title "Ph.D.'' is seldom spelled out.

• Gmc; compare Old English spellian to talk, announce (derivative of spell spell²), Old High German -spellōn, Old Norse spjalla, Gothic spillōn
• Old French espeller
• Middle English spellen 1250–1300

spell′a•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 5. foretell, portend, mean, promise.

spell² (spel),  n. 

1. a word, phrase, or form of words supposed to have magic power;
   charm;
   incantation:
   The wizard cast a spell.
2. a state or period of enchantment:
   She was under a spell.
3. any dominating or irresistible influence;
   fascination:
   the spell of fine music.

• bef. 900; Middle English spell, Old English: discourse; cognate with Old High German spel, Old Norse spjall, Gothic spill tale; see spell¹, gospel

spell′ful, adj. 
spell′-like′, adj. 

spell³ (spel),  n. 

1. a continuous course or period of work or other activity:
   to take a spell at the wheel.
2. a turn of work so taken.
3. a turn, bout, fit, or period of anything experienced or occurring:
   a spell of coughing.
4. an indefinite interval or space of time:
   Come visit us for a spell.
5. a period of weather of a specified kind:
   a hot spell.
6. British Terms [Australian.] a rest period.
7. [Archaic.] a person or set of persons taking a turn of work to relieve another.

v.t. 

8. to take the place of for a time;
   relieve:
   Let me spell you at the wheel.
9. British Terms [Australian.] to declare or give a rest period to.

v.i. 

10. British Terms [Australian.] to have or take a rest period.

• 1585–95; (verb, verbal) alteration of earlier spele to stand instead of, relieve, spare, Middle English spelen, Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala, gespelia a substitute; (noun, nominal) akin to the verb, verbal (perh. continuing Old English gespelia)

Synonyms

• 4. while, bit, piece.