spill Hear it!

spill¹ Definition

spill (spil)

transitive verb spilled or spilt, spill′·ing

  1. to allow or cause, esp. unintentionally or accidentally, to run, fall, or flow over from a container, usually so as to result in loss or waste who spilled the milk?
  2. to shed (blood)
    1. to empty the wind from (a sail)
    2. to lessen the pressure of (wind) on a sail
  4. to scatter at random from a receptacle or container
  5. to cause or allow (a rider, load, etc.) to fall off; throw off
  6. Informal to let (something secret) become known; divulge
  7. Obsolete
    1. to kill
    2. to destroy or ruin
    3. to squander; waste

Etymology: ME spillen < OE spillan, to destroy, squander, akin to MHG spillen, to split < IE base *(s)p(h)el-, to split, split off > spall, L spolium

intransitive verb

to be spilled from a container; overflow; run out

noun

  1. the act of spilling
  2. the amount spilled
  3. spillway
  4. a fall or tumble, as from a horse or from a vertical position

spill¹ Idioms

spill one's guts

☆

Slang to divulge everything one knows or reveal all one's personal problems

spill over

to overflow in superabundance or excess

spill² Definition

spill (spil)

noun

  1. a splinter
  2. a splinter, thin roll of paper, etc., set on fire and used to light a pipe, candle, etc.
  3. a paper cone or roll used as a container
  4. a small plug for stopping up a hole; spile
  5. a small metal peg, pin, or rod

Etymology: ME spille, prob. via dial. spil < ON spila, a splinter, akin to spile

spill Synonyms

spill

v.

lose, scatter, drop, spill over, run out; see also empty 2.

spill Usage Examples

Object

  • bean: We cannot put him in court or he would spill the beans.
  • gallon: In Alaska, the Exxon Valdez runs aground and spills 11 million gallons of oil.
  • mercury: Advice is available should you experience any problems or need to dispose of spilled mercury.
  • milk: I've never been a believer in crying over spilled milk.
  • diesel: Imagine a truck spills diesel onto a 30mph road.
  • blood: America was prepared to spill blood over a few bucks.

Converse of object

  • thrill: It's good sh*t, this song, as he rambles about thrills, spills and drills.

Adjective modifier

  • accidental: Accidental events Oil spills are probably the issue of greatest public concern in relation to the offshore oil industry.
  • diesel: Diesel spills on road surfaces are a menace to anyone on two wheels.
  • toxic: For example, the assets of a waste disposal company can be seized by a court in the case of a toxic spill.
  • liquid: The stop helps to contain liquid spills on the work-surface surface.
  • nasty: Including leaks, nasty spills, explosions and personnel accidents.

Modifies a noun

  • kit: In addition to this, all RIB's taking part in the event will carry spill kits.

Noun used with modifier

  • oil: Fewer oil spills at sea, less danger on the roads.
  • tanker: For an accidental pollutant release, such as an oil tanker spill, this is important for cleanup operations.
  • chemical: They were eventually removed by a team wearing gear usually used to deal with chemical spills.

Preposition: of

  • ton: The company is currently being prosecuted for a spill of 57 tons of trichloroethane.

Preposition: from

  • tanker: The Bill will make available an additional £ 440 million for compensation for a major oil spill from a tanker.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • over: Don't allow work to spill over into your leisure time.
  • out: Water spilled out making a puddle onto the table.

Browse dictionary entries near spill

  1. ‹ spiling
  2. ‹ spile
  3. ‹ spiky
  4. ‹ spikenard
  5. ‹ spikelet
  6. ‹ spike-tooth harrow
  7. ‹ spike lavender
  8. ‹ spike a rumor
  9. ‹ spike
  10. ‹ spigot
  1. spillage ›
  2. spilled ›
  3. spillikin ›
  4. spillover ›
  5. spillway ›
  6. spilt ›
  7. spilth ›
  8. spim or SPIM ›
  9. spin ›
  10. spin casting ›