spin
spihn
Spin (verb) means to turn around quickly on an axis. Example: “The dancer spun gracefully across the stage.”
verb
1
To turn around quickly on an axis.
"The dancer spun gracefully across the stage."
"The wheel spun freely once the brake was released."
"The washing machine began to spin faster and the clothes pressed against the drum."
2
To present information in a biased way to make it look more favorable.
"The press office tried to spin the layoffs as a "restructuring.""
"The company tried to spin the poor sales figures as a sign of healthy caution."
"Some commentators always spin every defeat as a lesson that will make the team stronger."
noun
1
A biased or favorable slant put on a piece of news or information.
"Voters are used to hearing political spin during election season."
"Be careful when you read the press release, because it is full of spin."
"The minister put a positive spin on the disappointing news."
2
A short trip taken in a vehicle for pleasure.
"He took the new car for a spin around the block."
"Shall we go for a spin along the coast road this afternoon?"
"After lunch, grandad took us for a spin in his old convertible."
How to use spin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo rotate quickly, or, in media/politics, to present facts in a way that favors one side.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the neutral "rotate" meaning with the more cynical "spin doctor" meaning — context usually makes it clear which is meant.
Common pairings
put a spin on it
go for a spin
political spin
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Word forms
- Plural
- spins
- Third person singular
- spins
- Past tense
- spun, span, spinned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The washing machine began to _____ faster and the clothes pressed against the drum.
Etymology
From Old English spinnan, "to spin thread" — the sense of twisting fibers into yarn came first, with "rotate" and "present with bias" developing later.
Related words
Rhymes for spin
See all rhymes for spin →Frequently asked questions
What does “spin” mean?
The word “spin” means to turn around quickly on an axis. In plain terms, to rotate quickly, or, in media/politics, to present facts in a way that favors one side.
How do you pronounce “spin”?
“Spin” is pronounced spihn (/spɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “spin” in a sentence?
Here is “spin” used in a sentence: “The press office tried to spin the layoffs as a "restructuring.".”
What part of speech is “spin”?
Depending on how it is used, “spin” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “spin” come from?
The word “spin” comes from Old English. From Old English spinnan, "to spin thread" — the sense of twisting fibers into yarn came first, with "rotate" and "present with bias" developing later.
Is “spin” a common word?
“Spin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “spin” have?
“Spin” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to turn around quickly on an axis.
What is the past tense of spin: spun or spinned?
The standard past tense and past participle of spin are both spun: "the wheel spun," "she has spun the dial." Spinned is not standard English. Spin is an irregular verb, so it does not take the regular -ed ending.
What is the difference between spin, rotate, and revolve?
All three describe circular motion, but spin means to turn around quickly on an axis, rotate means to turn on an axis at any speed, and revolve usually means to move in a path around something external, as the Earth revolves around the Sun. In everyday speech, spin implies speed that rotate does not.
Is spin a negative word in politics and media?
Usually, yes. When spin refers to presenting information in a biased way, it implies manipulation rather than neutral communication, so calling a statement spin suggests it distorts the truth. The people who craft such messaging are often pejoratively called spin doctors.
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