spill

1 of 3

verb

ˈspil 

spilled ˈspild  ˈspilt  also spilt ˈspilt  ; spilling

transitive verb

1

: to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted

2

a

: to cause (blood) to be lost by wounding

b

archaic : kill, destroy

3

: to let out : divulge

spill a secret

4

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

5

: to throw off or out

a horse spilled him

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)

spillable

ˈspi-lə-bəl 

adjective

spiller noun

spill

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

: the act or an instance of spilling

especially : a fall from a horse or vehicle or an erect position

2

: something spilled

spill

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a wooden splinter

2

: a small roll or twist of paper or slip of wood for lighting a fire

Phrases

spill one's guts

: to divulge especially personal information

spill the beans

: to divulge secret or hidden information

Synonyms

Verb

• bare
• disclose
• discover
• divulge
• expose
• let on (about)
• reveal
• tell
• unbosom
• uncloak
• uncover
• unmask
• unveil

Noun (1)

• fall
• slip
• stumble
• tumble

Examples of spill in a Sentence

Verb

I accidentally spilled coffee all over my new suit.

Clean up the flour you spilled on the floor.

a puddle of spilled water

Water spilled over the dam.

She opened the door and light spilled into the room.

an interviewer who gets celebrities to spill their secrets

Come on, spill it. Who gave you the money?

Noun (1)

she tripped over the toy and had a nasty spill on the stairs

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The torture of losing to the Wolverines four years in a row spilled over after the game as Michigan’s celebration clashed with Ohio State’s frustration, all in a cloud of pepper spray. —Austin Meek, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024

High interest rates have kept many people from buying or selling their homes, and the frozen housing market has spilled over to hurt the Container Store. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024

Noun

Stay alert to your surroundings at all times, especially in high-risk environments and anticipate hazards like machinery malfunctions, spills or employee distractions. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

The best way to keep them clean is to wipe up spills immediately after cooking, once the stove has cooled. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun (2)

Middle English spille; akin to Middle Low German spīle thin stick, peg

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2b

Noun (1)

circa 1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spill

• spill out
• spill the T
• spill the tea
• take a spill

Kids Definition

spill

1 of 2 verb

ˈspil 

spilled ˈspild  ˈspilt  also spilt ˈspilt  ; spilling

1

: to cause (blood) to flow by wounding or killing

2

a

: to cause or allow to fall, flow, or run out by accident

spilled some flour on the floor

b

: to fall or run out so as to be lost or wasted

the milk spilled

c

: to spread beyond limits

crowds spilled into the streets

3

: to throw off or out

a horse spilled its rider

4

: to let out : give away

spilled the secret

spillable

ˈspil-ə-bəl 

adjective

spiller noun

spill

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: an act or instance of spilling

b

: a fall from a horse or vehicle

2

: something spilled

cleaning up an oil spill