spell

Universal Words verb, noun verb (spelt, spelt ) or (spelled, spelled) 1 [VN] to say or write the letters of a word in the correct order: How do you spell your surname? * I thought her name was Catherine, but it's Kathryn spelt with a 'K'. 2 to form words correctly from individual letters: [V] I've never been able to spell. * [VN-ADJ] You've spelt my name wrong. seealsoMISSPELL 3 [VN] (of letters of a word) to form words when they are put together in a particular order: C-A-T spells 'cat'. 4 [VN] ~ sth (for sb/sth) to have sth, usually sth bad, as a result; to mean sth, usually sth bad: The crop failure spelt disaster for many farmers. * This defeat spelt the end of his hopes of winning the title again. PHRASALVERBS spell sth<->out 1 to explain sth in a simple, clear way: You know what I mean-I'm sure I don't need to spell it out. * [+wh-] Let me spell out why we need more money. 2 to say or write the letters of a word in the right order: Could you spell that name out again? noun 1 [C] a short period of time during which sth lasts: a spell of warm weather * a cold / hot / wet / bright spell * There will be rain at first, with sunny spells later. * She went to the doctor complaining of dizzy spells. 2 [C] a period of time doing sth or working somewhere: She had a spell as a singer before becoming an actress. * I spent a brief spell on the Washington Post. 3 [C] words that are thought to have magic power or to make a piece of magic work; a piece of magic that happens when sb says these magic words: a book of spells * The wizard recited a spell. * to cast / put a spell on sb * to be under a spell (= affected by magic) 4 [sing.] a quality that a person or thing has that makes them so attractive or interesting that they have a strong influence on you: I completely fell under her spell. * It was a magic night until the spell was broken. * Since last century the spell of the pyramids has drawn tourists to Egypt. IDIOMS see CASTv., WEAVEv.