spell
Spell (noun) means Words believed to have magical power, or the magical effect they produce. Example: “The witch cast a spell to turn the prince into a frog.”
How to use spell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA magic charm, the act of writing out a word's letters correctly, or a short stretch of time/activity.
Don't confuse the "cast a spell" sense with "spell a word" — same word, unrelated modern meanings.
Word forms
spelled past tense, spelled past tense, spelt past tense, spelled past tense, spelt past tense, spells plural, spells plural, spells plural, Spells plural, spells singular, spells singular, spells singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The witch cast a _____ to turn the prince into a frog.
Etymology
From Old English spell ("story, news, tale"), from Proto-Germanic *spellą. The "magic words" sense and the "write out letters" sense both branched from this old idea of telling or reciting something.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for spell
See all rhymes for spell →Frequently asked questions
What does “spell” mean?
The word “spell” means words believed to have magical power, or the magical effect they produce. In plain terms, a magic charm, the act of writing out a word's letters correctly, or a short stretch of time/activity.
How do you pronounce “spell”?
“Spell” is pronounced spehl (/spɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “spell” in a sentence?
Here is “spell” used in a sentence: “The witch cast a spell to turn the prince into a frog.”
What part of speech is “spell”?
Depending on how it is used, “spell” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spell” come from?
The word “spell” comes from Old English. From Old English spell ("story, news, tale"), from Proto-Germanic *spellą. The "magic words" sense and the "write out letters" sense both branched from this old idea of telling or reciting something.
Is “spell” a common word?
“Spell” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “spell” have?
“Spell” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: words believed to have magical power, or the magical effect they produce.
What is the difference between the two meanings of 'spell'?
As a noun, spell can mean words believed to have magical power or the magical effect they produce, as in casting a spell. As a verb, spell means to write or say the letters of a word in the correct order. The two senses are unrelated in meaning despite sharing a form.
What is the difference between a spell and a curse?
A spell is words believed to have magical power or the effect they produce, and can be intended for good or ill. A curse is specifically a spell or wish meant to bring harm or misfortune, so a curse is a kind of hostile spell.
What are common phrases using the word 'spell'?
Common phrases include 'cast a spell', 'break a spell', 'under a spell', and 'spell out' (to explain something in clear detail). 'Under someone's spell' is used figuratively to mean strongly attracted to or influenced by them.
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