spell
/spel/ (bre, ipa) · /spel/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspel/ (ame, mw)
spell — verb
- spellpresent simple I / you / we / they
- spellshe / she / it
- speltpast simple
- spelledpast simple
- spelling-ing form
1. To name each letter in a word one after another, or to write them down in the ri
To name each letter in a word one after another, or to write them down in the right sequence.
Lucas learned to spell his full name during his first week at school.
intransitive: learn to spell
The teacher asked Ava to spell "temperature" aloud for the class.
transitive: spell + word + adverb
Many English learners find it difficult to spell words with silent letters.
If you are not sure how to spell a word, check an online dictionary.
Yasmin spelled her grandmother's name wrong on the birthday card by accident.
文法句型
spell + word
spell + word + out
spell + for + person
用法筆記
Can be used with or without an object: 'He spells well' (intransitive) vs. 'He spells his name every time' (transitive). Also commonly seen with 'out' in both literal (say letters one by one) and figurative (explain clearly) meanings.
常見錯誤
2. To be a sign that something unwelcome or damaging is about to come.
To be a sign that something unwelcome or damaging is about to come.
The thick, dark clouds spell trouble for our afternoon picnic.
collocation: spell trouble
For many local farmers, the sudden frost spelled disaster for their crops.
collocation: spell disaster
The company's falling sales may spell the end of the entire factory.
When the main road was closed, it spelled chaos for rush-hour traffic.
文法句型
spell + trouble/disaster/doom/end
spell + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used with a negative outcome as the object — trouble, disaster, doom, the end, chaos, danger. The subject is typically an event, situation, or sign rather than a person. Does not take a that-clause: ❌ 'The clouds spell that it will rain.'
常見錯誤
3. To temporarily take over a person's duties, giving them a chance to rest.
To temporarily take over a person's duties, giving them a chance to rest.
Theo agreed to spell his colleague at the front desk during the lunch break.
spell + person + at + place
The nurses on the night shift spell each other every few hours.
reciprocal use: spell each other
Could you spell me for five minutes so I can step outside for some air?
Ritu and Tuan spell each other at the community centre every Saturday morning.
- relieve
more common in American English; slightly more formal
- take over for
phrasal verb; less formal and more widely understood
- cover for
common in workplace language; can mean filling in for a colleague
文法句型
spell + person
spell + person + at + place
用法筆記
The object is the person being relieved, not the task. 'Spell' in this sense is more common in British and Australian English than American English, where 'relieve' is preferred.
常見錯誤
4. To put a person, animal, or object under the power of magic words, making them d
To put a person, animal, or object under the power of magic words, making them do or feel certain things.
In the fairy tale, a wicked witch spelled the entire village into a deep sleep.
passive context: spelled + into + state
The old story tells of a princess who was spelled by a jealous fairy.
passive: be spelled by
Ava felt as though the strange old woman had spelled her against her will.
The wizard claimed he could spell any creature with a single whispered word.
文法句型
spell + person/creature
be spelled + by + agent
用法筆記
Less common than the noun form 'cast a spell' or the verb 'enchant'. Often appears in passive constructions in storytelling contexts, especially fairy tales and fantasy fiction.
常見錯誤
spell — noun
- spellsingular
- spellsplural
1. An interval, usually short, during which a certain activity, condition, or feeli
An interval, usually short, during which a certain activity, condition, or feeling continues without a break.
Lucas worked as a tour guide for a short spell before returning to university.
collocation: short spell
After a brief spell of silence, the baby started crying again.
collocation: brief spell + of
The old man had a coughing spell that lasted nearly five minutes.
Ava felt a dizzy spell coming on and quickly grabbed the kitchen counter.
Tamar planned to stay in Tokyo for a brief spell, but stayed for years.
文法句型
a + adjective + spell
adjective + spell + of + noun
用法筆記
Often modified by adjectives describing duration or type: 'short/brief/long spell' or 'dizzy/coughing/fainting spell' (for medical episodes). For weather, see the separate WEATHER sense below.
常見錯誤
2. A brief stretch when the weather stays the same in a certain way.
A brief stretch when the weather stays the same in a certain way.
The region is going through a dry spell with no rain for nearly two months.
collocation: dry spell
A cold spell in January damaged many of the orange trees in the valley.
collocation: cold spell
After a rainy spell that lasted two weeks, the sun finally appeared again.
The weather report says a warm spell is expected over the weekend.
文法句型
adjective + spell
adjective + spell + of + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from the general PERIOD sense: this sense is restricted to weather conditions. Common modifiers: dry, cold, wet, rainy, warm, hot, mild.
常見錯誤
3. A period of time during which a person does someone else's job or task so that t
A period of time during which a person does someone else's job or task so that the other person can rest.
Allison took a spell at the reception desk while her coworker had lunch.
collocation: take a spell at
The sailors worked two-hour spells at the wheel during the storm.
Aoi and her brother share the cooking spells when their parents are away.
Each volunteer at the food bank works a four-hour spell on Saturday afternoons.
文法句型
a + spell + of + noun
possessive + spell
用法筆記
Often paired with verbs like 'take', 'do', 'work', 'have', or 'share'. This sense is closely related to the verb sense 3 (DO INSTEAD) — the noun refers to the period itself, while the verb refers to the action of taking over.
4. A set of words thought to carry supernatural force, or the state of being in the
A set of words thought to carry supernatural force, or the state of being in the grip of such words.
The witch cast a spell that turned the prince into a frog.
collocation: cast a spell
The children watched the storyteller whisper a magic spell under an old tree.
Sirin felt as though she was under a spell and could not look away.
The wizard chanted a spell to protect the village from approaching danger.
- incantation
more formal and specific to ritual chanting of magic words
- charm
often implies a beneficial or protective spell, not harmful
- enchantment
the state of being under a spell; can also mean a feeling of delight
文法句型
cast/put + a + spell
under + a + spell
break + the + spell
用法筆記
Common in fantasy and folklore contexts. 'Cast a spell' is the standard verb collocation for performing magic; 'under a spell' describes the state. Figuratively, 'under a spell' can mean strongly attracted or captivated.