Irregular verb
The verb to spell
spell → spelled/spelt → spelled/spelt
B2Meaning: to name the letters of a word; to write a word correctly · Type: irregular
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they spell·he/she/it spells - Past Simple:
spelled(US) orspelt(UK) - Past participle:
spelled(US) orspelt(UK) - -ing form:
spelling
Conjugation of the verb to spell
Present Simple
| I | spell |
| You | spell |
| He / She / It | spells |
| We | spell |
| You (pl.) | spell |
| They | spell |
Past Simple
| I | spelled / spelt |
| You | spelled / spelt |
| He / She / It | spelled / spelt |
| We | spelled / spelt |
| You (pl.) | spelled / spelt |
| They | spelled / spelt |
All the forms of the verb to spell
Present Simple
Full pagespell / spells
“How do you spell your name?”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are spelling
“I am spelling the word right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagespelled (US) / spelt (UK)
“She spelled her name twice.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were spelling
“I was spelling the word when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has spelled
“I have already spelled the word.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad spelled
“She had already spelled the word when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill spell
“I will spell the word tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to spell
“I'm going to spell the word this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould spell
“I would spell the word if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to spell
1. Saying the letters of a word
- How do you spell your name?
- C-O-L-O-U-R, that's how we spell colour in the UK.
2. Writing a word correctly
- You spelled my name wrong.
- Spell it correctly.
3. Spell out (explaining clearly)
Spell out means to explain something clearly, point by point.
- Let me spell it out for you.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. A spell = magic words
A spell (noun) can mean magic words that make something happen. It can also mean a short period of time: a hot spell (a few very hot days). Both meanings are different from the verb spell.
2. Spelling bee: a spelling competition
A spelling bee is a spelling competition, a tradition in the US and the UK. Students spell harder and harder words in front of judges.
What's next?
You can conjugate to spell. Now say it out loud.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of spell?+
There are two correct forms: spelled (US) and spelt (UK). The past participle is the same. Spell → spelled/spelt → spelled/spelt. Other verbs also have two forms: burned / burnt, learned / learnt, smelled / smelt.
How do you ask someone to spell a word?+
Use spell. How do you spell it? asks for the letters of a word. Can you spell your name, please? is very useful at school, on the phone or in a hotel. It is one of the first questions to learn.
What is a spelling bee?+
A spelling bee is a spelling competition, very popular in schools in the US and the UK. Students take turns to spell harder and harder words. In the US, the National Spelling Bee is shown on TV.
Does spell also mean magic?+
Yes! A spell (noun) is a set of magic words. Cast a spell on someone means to use magic on them. Under a spell means controlled by magic. In Harry Potter, the magic words are called spells.
What does spell out mean?+
Spell out means to explain something very clearly, point by point. Let me spell it out for you means let me explain it clearly. It often suggests that the other person did not understand the first time.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/spell
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.