to spell

Examples

• All

• I need someone who can hunt and guide and spell me at the reins and help with the animals on the trip.

  The Homesman (2014)

• During the busy holiday season, we often spell each other to ensure everyone gets a break.

• If you want a break, I'll spell you.

  The Only Witness (2003)

• Kid, me and Pete will spell each other carrying the infant.

  3 Godfathers (1948)

• Carter's gonna be in by six to spell you.

  Hollow Man (2000)

• Sometime after lunch, I went over to Elaine's shop, intending to spell her, but she wasn't there.

  Fiction book (1994)

• If you need to rest, I can spell you for a while during your shift.

Synonyms

C

to cover

vsto spell

362 3.1

To take someone's place and do their work for a short time

is broader and often means swapping duties not brief substitution

F

to fill in

vsto spell

100 3.3

Do someone else's job for a short time

focuses more on alternating relief than single substitute events

R

to rotate

vsto spell

60 2.3

To take turns regularly doing a job or duty

suggests planned cycles rather than single brief relief

A

to alternate

vsto spell

59 3.3

To take turns doing something

implies simple alternation rather than covering another's duties alone

T

to take turns

vsto spell

57 1.8

Do something one after another, each person doing it in order

can also mean replacing someone temporarily at work

S

to sit in for

vsto spell

24 4.2

To take someone's place for a short time and do their job

is used more for exchanging shifts than for one person stepping in

Idioms

U

under a spell

8 6.7

Very fascinated and unable to control your actions or feelings

Phrasal Verbs

S

to spell out

79 3.5

To explain something clearly and in detail

S

to spell out

53 3.0

To say each letter of a word so others can hear the spelling

C

to cast a spell

• Literature

38 7.4

Use words or actions to make a magical change

S

to set a spell

• Archaic

9.4

To sit and rest for a short time and talk

Compounds

D

dry spell

15 3.6

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

M

magic spell

11 5.2

Words people say or write to make magic happen

C

cold spell

• UK

1 3.5

A short period of unusually cold weather

M

magical spell

1 5.8

Words said by a witch or wizard to make something happen

S

spell-checker

• Specialized

1 2.8

A program that shows spelling mistakes in text

H

hot spell

1 3.5

A period of several days with much hotter weather than usual

B

breathing spell

4.2

A short time to rest from work or trouble

C

cold spell

• Jargon

8.1

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

S

sinking spell

8.9

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

S

spell of enchantment

9.3

A time when someone or something seems controlled by magic

How Long

to replace

∞ 1.8

to spell

26 6.3

to cover

362 3.1

to step in

240 3.2

Surface Forms

Etymology