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spell out
verb
spelled out; spelling out; spells out
1
: to make plain
spelled out the orders in detail
2
: to write or print in letters and in full
numbers are to be spelled out
Synonyms
Examples of spell out in a Sentence
the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
Recent Examples on the Web
The mother-daughter duo posed in front of a wall of balloons that spelled out the baby girl's name as strings of roses hung from the ceiling.
—
Kayla Grant, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
The Last Ranger, making one wonder: Do Academy voters need the theme of every movie spelled out for them in bold typeface?
—
Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025
What gives this away is that Lopez’s shows often revolve around a key idea that examines both his identity and the zeitgeist, and this concept is almost always spelled out by the speakers that line each runway.
—
José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Those caveats were spelled out in a memo Emil Bove, Trump’s ex-personal defense attorney and now No. 2 at the Justice Department, sent to the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office Monday night.
—
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near spell out
Cite this Entry
“Spell out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spell%20out. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
spell out
verb1
: to make very plain
our duties were spelled out
2
: to write or print in letters and in full
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