to spell

Examples

• All

• A sudden storm could spell disaster for the outdoor wedding planned this weekend.

• In a country like Paraguay, such a move could have easily spelled political disaster.

  Academic text (1990)

• And this could spell trouble.

  F1 (2025)

• If you have another episode like this... it could very well spell the end.

  Cabrini (2024)

• It's the big ones that spell disaster.

  Bulldog Drummond (1929)

• For some people, that spells trouble with a capital "T".

  Detroit Rock City (1999)

• This is going to spell doom to the resistance.

• The outcome of these events may spell the demise of the National Council.

  Academic text (1992)

• No, we are talking about virtual vloggers and it could spell the end of our careers.

• However, his semi-retirement did not spell the end, or even a weakening, of the publishing house's viability.

  Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

M

to mean

vsto spell

∞ 3.5

Lead to a particular result

is usually negative or notably serious in effect

B

to bode

vsto spell

16 7.2

To be a sign that something good or bad will happen

is usually negative or notably significant rather than neutral

P

to portend

vsto spell

• Formal

13 8.4

To show that something, often bad, will probably happen

is about causing or resulting in the event rather than only warning

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 Serious

to doom

113 5.8

to lead to

∞ 2.5

to spell

111 7.2

to result

966 1.6

to suggest

∞ 2.1

hint

229 1.5

Surface Forms

Etymology