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spill1

Pronunciation: /spɪl/
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Definition of spill

verb (past and past participle spilt or spilled)

[with object]
  • 1cause or allow (liquid) to flow over the edge of its container, especially unintentionally:you’ll spill that tea if you’re not careful figurativeazaleas spilled cascades of flowers over the pathways
  • [no object] (of liquid) flow over the edge of its container:some of the wine spilled on to the floor figurativelight spilled into the room from the landing
  • (with reference to the contents of something) empty out or be emptied out on to a surface: [with object]:the bag fell to the floor, spilling out its contents [no object]:passengers' baggage had spilled out of the hold
  • [no object, with adverbial of direction] (of a number of people) move out of somewhere quickly:students began to spill out of the building
  • (in the context of ball games) drop (the ball).
  • Sailing let (wind) out of a sail, typically by slackening the sheets.
  • 2 informal reveal (confidential information) to someone:she ought not to be spilling out her troubles to you
  • 3cause to fall off a horse or bicycle:the horse was wrenched off course, spilling his rider

noun

  • 1a quantity of liquid that has spilled or been spilt:wipe up spills immediately
  • an instance of a liquid spilling or being spilt:he was absolved from any blame for the oil spill
  • 2a fall from a horse or bicycle.
  • 3Australian a vacating of all or several posts in a cabinet or parliamentary party to allow reorganization after one important change of office.

Phrases

spill the beans

informal reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly.

spill (someone's) blood

kill or wound people.

spill one's guts

informal reveal copious information to someone in an uninhibited way.

Phrasal Verbs

spill over

(of a bad situation or strong emotion) reach a point at which it can no longer be controlled or contained:years of frustration spilled over into violence

Derivatives

spillage

noun

spiller

noun

Origin:

Old English spillan 'kill, destroy, waste, shed (blood'); of unknown origin

spill in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of spill in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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