What is spell? Pronunciation and usage in English

spell means . Learn how to pronounce and use spell through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of spell

spellverb

/spɛl/
Definition & pronunciation of spell

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "spell." It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

The most common pronunciation in American English is:

  • /spel/ (rhymes with "bell" or "well")

    • "sp" is pronounced like the "sp" in "spot" or "step."
    • "el" is pronounced like the "el" in "tell" or "cell."

The pronunciation in British English is slightly different:

  • /sepl/ (rhymes with "repl")

    • "se" is pronounced like the "se" in "sea" or "set."
    • "pl" is pronounced like the "pl" in "play" or "plan."

Here's a breakdown to help you:

  1. Focus on the "sp" sound: Think of the beginning of "spot" or "step."
  2. Then add the vowel sound: After the "sp," say the vowel sound like "el" – as in "tell" or "cell."

Resources you can use to hear the pronunciation:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (approximately)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) This helps me know which pronunciation is most likely intended.

Usage and examples with the word spell in English

Let's break down how to use the word "spell" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. To Say the Sounds of Letters (Pronunciation):

  • Most Common Usage: This is the original meaning and is still fairly common. It means to say the individual sounds of letters in a word.
    • Example: "Can you spell your name for me?" (You’d then say: “S-A-I-L” – spelling out the letters).
    • Example: “I need to spell the word 'elephant' slowly.”
    • Example: “He was struggling to spell the long 'a' sound.”

2. To Form a Word (Writing):

  • Writing out a word: This refers to writing a word letter by letter, often when someone is having difficulty remembering or writing it.
    • Example: "I can't spell 'onomatopoeia' correctly, could you spell it for me?"
    • Example: “The student needed me to spell out the word ‘democracy’ for her.”

3. To Cause a Feeling or Situation to Last (Figurative – “to endure”):

  • This is a more nuanced and less frequently used meaning. It describes a situation or feeling that persists or becomes established. "Spell" becomes a verb in this sense.
    • Example: "The dark clouds spelled trouble for the picnic." (The clouds caused a feeling of impending bad weather.)
    • Example: “Her words spelled the end of our friendship.” (Her words caused the friendship to end.)
    • Example: "The music spelled a sense of peace and tranquility." (The music created a feeling of peace.)

4. “Spellbound” (Adjective – Captivated):

  • Used as an adjective to describe someone who is completely fascinated or entranced.
    • Example: “The children were spellbound by the magician’s tricks.”
    • Example: “The storyteller's words spellbound the audience.”

Here's a table to summarize:

Meaning Part of Speech Example
Pronounce letters Verb “Spell your address.”
Write a word Verb “Can you spell that word for me?”
Cause persistence Verb “The rain spelled a long afternoon.”
Captivated Adjective “She was spellbound by the performance.”

Tips for Using “Spell” Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to determine the intended meaning.
  • Be mindful of the verb forms: “Spell” can be a verb or a noun (rarely used as a noun).
  • Figurative usage is less common: Be aware that the “cause a feeling” meaning is more sophisticated and not used in everyday conversation as frequently.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me tailor my explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • Are you struggling with a specific situation where you want to use "spell"?
  • Are you interested in a particular aspect of the word (e.g., its history, its different uses)?

Synonyms for the word spell

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