spill
12 synonyms for spill, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To let liquid or loose material fall out of a container by accident.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To let liquid or loose material fall out of a container by accident.
“Be careful carrying that tray, or you will spill the soup.”
How to use spill
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
spill the beans
oil spill
spill a drink
Etymology
From Old English spillan, "to destroy or waste" — the modern sense of accidentally pouring something out developed later.
Full origin of spill →Frequently asked questions
What does “spill” mean?
The word “spill” means to let liquid or loose material fall out of a container by accident. In plain terms, to let something (usually liquid) fall out accidentally, or to accidentally reveal a secret.
How do you pronounce “spill”?
“Spill” is pronounced spih ([spɪɫ] in IPA).
How do you use “spill” in a sentence?
Here is “spill” used in a sentence: “She spilled coffee all over her keyboard.”
What part of speech is “spill”?
Depending on how it is used, “spill” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “spill” come from?
The word “spill” comes from Old English. From Old English spillan, "to destroy or waste" — the modern sense of accidentally pouring something out developed later.
Is “spill” a common word?
“Spill” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “spill” have?
“Spill” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to let liquid or loose material fall out of a container by accident.
What is the difference between spill and pour?
Spill refers to letting liquid or loose material fall out of a container by accident, while pour describes the deliberate, controlled act of transferring liquid from one container to another. You pour a drink on purpose, but you spill it if it happens unintentionally.
What does it mean to spill the beans?
To "spill the beans" is an informal idiom meaning to reveal secret or private information, often before it was meant to be shared. It draws on the informal sense of spill meaning to disclose a secret.
Can spill be used as a noun?
Yes, spill can be a noun referring to the amount of liquid that has spilled or the resulting mess, as in "clean up the spill" or "an oil spill."
