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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 committee voted 13-0-1 to add the scoring under the provisions as spelled out by the MIAA’s Keith Brouillard.
—Danny Ventura, Boston Herald, 19 Dec. 2024
The game was originally rated 3-plus, but shortly after its February launch, PEGI bumped it up to 18-plus, as spelled out at the time by Playstack, Balatro’s publisher.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 19 Dec. 2024
To decipher her code, translate the picture (or pictures) on each card into two words, then anagram the letters to spell out one of the dishes depicted on the right.
—Suerynn Lee, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
As spelled out below, one of its best features is Hands Free Cruise based on General Motors SuperCruise gen 2.
—Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
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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 3 Jan. 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
More from Merriam-Webster on spell out
Nglish: Translation of spell out for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of spell out for Arabic Speakers
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