noun
Uncommon
spelt
SPEHLT
Spelt (noun) means an ancient variety of wheat, sometimes used as a health-conscious alternative in bread and flour. Example: “The bakery uses spelt flour instead of regular wheat flour.”
noun
1
An ancient variety of wheat, sometimes used as a health-conscious alternative in bread and flour.
"The bakery uses spelt flour instead of regular wheat flour."
verb
1
The past tense and past participle of "spell," chiefly in British English.
"She spelt her name out slowly for the operator."
How to use spelt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither an old grain used in flour and bread, or the British past tense of "spell."
UK vs US
"Spelt" as a past tense is standard in British English; American English usually prefers "spelled."
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Word forms
- Plural
- spelts
- Third person singular
- spelts
- Past tense
- spelted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bakery uses _____ flour instead of regular wheat flour.
Etymology
From Old English spelt, related to Old Saxon and Late Latin spelta — an ancient grain name unrelated to the verb "spell."
Rhymes for spelt
See all rhymes for spelt →Frequently asked questions
What does “spelt” mean?
The word “spelt” means an ancient variety of wheat, sometimes used as a health-conscious alternative in bread and flour. In plain terms, either an old grain used in flour and bread, or the British past tense of "spell.".
How do you pronounce “spelt”?
“Spelt” is pronounced SPEHLT (/ˈspɛlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “spelt” in a sentence?
Here is “spelt” used in a sentence: “The bakery uses spelt flour instead of regular wheat flour.”
What part of speech is “spelt”?
Depending on how it is used, “spelt” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spelt” come from?
The word “spelt” comes from Late Latin. From Old English spelt, related to Old Saxon and Late Latin spelta — an ancient grain name unrelated to the verb "spell.".
Is “spelt” a common word?
“Spelt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spelt” have?
“Spelt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an ancient variety of wheat, sometimes used as a health-conscious alternative in bread and flour.
