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spell

spell

109 2.7
A short period of time when something happens, like bad weather
  • noun
  • /spɛl/
translation icon : periodo
  • You're just going through a dry spell.
  • a dry spell
  • a cold spell
  • a long spell

I was getting dizzy spells, I was getting nausea, I was getting headaches.

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Examples

  • Maybe I should rest up for a spell; I'm not as young as I used to be.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • At one point, he had to withdraw from the job for a spell, unnerved by the endless disputes.

    Academic text (2011)
  • A spell in the country might be the very thing.

  • " George is having a bit of a spell at the moment," she said.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • There would be a short period of calm before the next spell of really bad weather.

    Academic text (1994)
  • One thing was certain, he was never the same after this little spell of sickness.

  • Let us assume that market participants expect this spell of cold weather to be temporary.

    Academic text (2001)
  • And she was thankful for the breathing spell, for all three of them.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • He's just helping me through a rough spell.

  • After a brief spell of intense study, she felt ready for the exam.

Synonyms

time
vsspell
2.0

A particular occasion when something happens or you feel it

is a short work-focused period rather than any general occasion or event
while
vsspell
1.0

A short period of time

is a short period often tied to work rather than an undefined length
piece
vsspell
  • Archaic
81 9.9

A short distance or period of time

is the standard term for short periods of work or activity
stint
vsspell
77 5.0

A short fixed time spent doing a job

is a short period of activity not necessarily formally limited
patch
vsspell
46 5.1

A short period of time with a particular condition or activity

is a short work period that focuses on doing tasks rather than conditions

Antonyms

224 5.8

Time that never ends, often imagined after death

15 5.5

A situation where something lasts a long time without big change

Idioms

Very fascinated and unable to control your actions or feelings

Compounds

15 3.6

A period with little or no rain that can mean a time without success

11 5.2

Words people say or write to make magic happen

1 3.5

A short period of unusually cold weather

Words said by a witch or wizard to make something happen

spell-checker
  • Specialized
1 2.8

A program that shows spelling mistakes in text

1 3.5

A period of several days with much hotter weather than usual

A short time to rest from work or trouble

cold spell
  • Jargon
8.1

A magic power that makes very cold air and freezes people or things

A short time when you feel weak, faint, or very low

A time when someone or something seems controlled by magic

How Long

age
674 5.5
season
1.0
period
2.1
spell
109 2.7
stint
77 5.0
moment
1.0

Surface Forms

spell singular
spells plural

Etymology

Spell meaning a short period comes from the idea of a brief 'telling' or 'turn' from the old word for 'speech', so a 'spell' is simply a short time when something happens.