spill
spih
Spill (verb) means to let liquid or loose material fall out of a container by accident. Example: “Be careful carrying that tray, or you will spill the soup.”
verb
1
To let liquid or loose material fall out of a container by accident.
"Be careful carrying that tray, or you will spill the soup."
"She spilled coffee all over her keyboard."
"Try not to spill the flour across the counter."
2
To reveal secret or private information.
"Come on, spill! What did your boss say about the new plan?"
"The witness refused to spill any names to the reporters."
"He finally spilled the details of the surprise party."
noun
1
An amount of liquid that has spilled, or the mess it leaves.
"There was a large spill of juice on the kitchen floor."
"Keep a cloth nearby in case of a spill at the table."
"Cleanup crews rushed to the oil spill along the coastline."
How to use spill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo let something (usually liquid) fall out accidentally, or to accidentally reveal a secret.
Common pairings
spill the beans
oil spill
spill a drink
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Word forms
- Plural
- spills
- Third person singular
- spills
- Past tense
- spilled, spilt
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful carrying that tray, or you will _____ the soup.
Etymology
From Old English spillan, "to destroy or waste" — the modern sense of accidentally pouring something out developed later.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for spill
See all rhymes for 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."
