spell out

verb

spelled out; spelling out; spells out

transitive verb

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

Examples of spell out in a Sentence

the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for spell out 

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spell out was in 1940

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

verb
1
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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