spill out
phrasal verb
spilled out also spilt out; spilling out; spills out
: to fall, flow, or run over the edge of a container or to cause or allow (something) to fall, flow, or run over the edge of a container
The bag ripped open and the flour spilled out onto the floor.
The bag ripped open and spilled out its contents all over the floor.
She spilled the contents of her purse out on the table.
—sometimes used figurativelyAll his thoughts suddenly came spilling out.
He spilled his thoughts out to her.
Examples of spill out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But in recent years, many negotiations have become more fraught, often spilling out into public view as both sides put out statements defending their position.
—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Students from Boyle Heights’ Bravo High spilled out into TreePeople, a nature reserve and nonprofit in Coldwater Canyon Park, and took off hiking.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Eleven young Tennysons spilled out of the Somersby rectory—seven boys and four girls, with Alfred third from the top.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Elsewhere, The Barn, which opens onto parkland, is earthy, jolly, and informal – blazing stone fireplace in winter, open to the elements and spilling out into the parkland-facing terrace in summer – and has laid-back brasserie-style menus (veggie burgers, chateaubriand, ribs, chicken pie et al).
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spill out
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Students from Boyle Heights’ Bravo High spilled out into TreePeople, a nature reserve and nonprofit in Coldwater Canyon Park, and took off hiking.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Eleven young Tennysons spilled out of the Somersby rectory—seven boys and four girls, with Alfred third from the top.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Elsewhere, The Barn, which opens onto parkland, is earthy, jolly, and informal – blazing stone fireplace in winter, open to the elements and spilling out into the parkland-facing terrace in summer – and has laid-back brasserie-style menus (veggie burgers, chateaubriand, ribs, chicken pie et al).
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spill out
Cite this Entry
“Spill out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spill%20out. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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