spell out
verb
spelled out; spelling out; spells out
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
Synonyms
Examples of spell out in a Sentence
the dating applicant spelled out exactly what she wanted in a man
Recent Examples on the Web
But Trump at an address to House Republicans on Monday spelled out specific items that his administration would tariff — rather than across-the-board tariffs — including pharmaceuticals, microchips and steel.
—
Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
The proposal by the Department of Homeland Security, spelled out in an unpublished notice, would fully terminate a Biden administration program that allowed more than 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans to fly to the U.S. if American sponsors agreed to help them financially.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2025
Over a recent lunch at Holts Café at the Bloor Street flagship, Picardo spelled out the challenges, accomplishments and opportunities for Holt Renfrew, which is owned by the Weston family and is considered Canada’s leading luxury retailer.
—David Moin, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
His first order on trans equality spells out that promise, which begins with a wholesale redefinition of gender in matters of federal government policy.
—Nico Lang, Them, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spell out 
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.
Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
The proposal by the Department of Homeland Security, spelled out in an unpublished notice, would fully terminate a Biden administration program that allowed more than 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans to fly to the U.S. if American sponsors agreed to help them financially.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2025
Over a recent lunch at Holts Café at the Bloor Street flagship, Picardo spelled out the challenges, accomplishments and opportunities for Holt Renfrew, which is owned by the Weston family and is considered Canada’s leading luxury retailer.
—David Moin, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
His first order on trans equality spells out that promise, which begins with a wholesale redefinition of gender in matters of federal government policy.
—Nico Lang, Them, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spell out
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 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share