First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1spill
verb \ˈspil\
: to cause or allow (something) to fall, flow, or run over the edge of a container usually in an accidental way
: to fall or flow over the edge of a container
: to move or spread out into a wider place or area
spilled \ˈspild, ˈspilt\ also spilt \ˈspilt\ spill·ing
Full Definition of SPILL
transitive verb
2
: to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted
3
a : to relieve (a sail) from the pressure of the wind so as to reef or furl it b : to relieve the pressure of (wind) on a sail by coming about or by adjusting the sail with lines
4
: to throw off or out <a horse spilled him>
5
: to let out : divulge <spill a secret>
intransitive verb
1
a : to flow, run, or fall out, over, or off and become wasted, scattered, or lost <water spilling over the dam> b : to cause or allow something to spill
2
: to spread profusely or beyond bounds <crowds spilled into the streets>
3
: to fall from one's place (as on a horse)
— spill·able \ˈspi-lə-bəl\ adjective
— spill·er noun
— spill one's guts
: to divulge especially personal information
— spill the beans
: to divulge secret or hidden information
See spill defined for English-language learners
See spill defined for kids
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Origin of SPILL
Middle English, from Old English spillan; akin to Old English spildan to destroy and perhaps to Latin spolium animal skin, Greek sphallein to cause to fall
Related to SPILL
2spill
noun
Definition of SPILL
1
: the act or an instance of spilling; especially : a fall from a horse or vehicle or an erect position
2
: something spilled
First Known Use of SPILL
circa 1845
3spill
noun
Definition of SPILL
1
: a wooden splinter
2
: a small roll or twist of paper or slip of wood for lighting a fire
Origin of SPILL
Middle English spille; akin to Middle Low German spīle thin stick, peg
First Known Use: 14th century
SPILLED Defined for Kids
1spill
verb \ˈspil\
spilled \ˈspild\ also spilt \ˈspilt\spill·ing
Definition of SPILL for Kids
1
: to cause or allow to fall, flow, or run out so as to be wasted or scattered <I knocked the glass over and spilled my milk.>
2
: to flow or run out, over, or off and become wasted or scattered <The milk spilled.> <So I always go as far as the ford, where the river spills across the path … — Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh>
3
: to cause (blood) to flow by wounding
4
: to make known <I accidentally spilled the secret.>
2spill
noun
Definition of SPILL for Kids
1
: an act of spilling
2
: a fall especially from a horse or vehicle
3
: something spilled <Please mop up the spill on the floor.>
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