Spill — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈspil/

Meaning & Definition of Spill

Spill (verb)

  1. to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted
  2. to cause (blood) to be lost by wounding
  3. kill, destroy

Spill (noun)

  1. the act or an instance of spilling; especially, a fall from a horse or vehicle or an erect position
  2. something spilled
  3. a wooden splinter
  4. a small roll or twist of paper or slip of wood for lighting a fire

Spill (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make known (as information previously kept secret)

    "the actor's butler spilled the secret to a tabloid for $40,000"

    similar: bare, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal, tell, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil, bring to light, go public (with), let the cat out of the bag (about), spill the beans (about)
    related: confide, share, debunk, show up, unclothe, undrape, advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, declare, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound, betray, blab, give away, leak, inform, squeal, talk, communicate, impart, relate, acknowledge, admit, avow, concede, confess, own, disinter, rake up, smoke out, unearth
    opposite: cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud, veil
    near: camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade

Spill (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act of going down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily

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

    similar: fall, slip, stumble, tumble
    related: header, pratfall, misstep, trip, descent, dive, plunge, skid, slide, free-fall

Related Entry: Spill the beans (phrase)

Spill the beans is a different word from Spill. The synonyms below are for spill the beans, not for spill.

  1. to relate sometimes questionable or secret information of a personal nature

    "We knew they wouldn't spill the beans about the wedding until we were ready to announce it."

    similar: blab, dish, gossip, talk, tattle, wag
    related: bandy (about), circulate, noise (about or abroad), rumor, blabber, disclose, divulge, reveal, tell, hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, let on, suggest, inform, report, snitch, squeal, tip (off), babble, spill, confide
    near: clam up, shut up

Related Entry: Spill the beans (about) (phrase)

Spill the beans (about) is a different word from Spill. The synonyms below are for spill the beans (about), not for spill.

  1. to make known (as information previously kept secret)

    "An inside informant spilled the beans about the company's unethical business practices."

    similar: bare, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal, spill, tell, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil, bring to light, go public (with), let the cat out of the bag (about)
    related: confide, share, debunk, show up, unclothe, undrape, advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, declare, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound, betray, blab, give away, leak, inform, squeal, talk, communicate, impart, relate, acknowledge, admit, avow, concede, confess, own, disinter, rake up, smoke out, unearth
    opposite: cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud, veil
    near: camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Spill

The most common words with a similar meaning to Spill:

bare, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal, tell, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil, bring to light, go public (with), let the cat out of the bag (about), spill the beans (about), fall, slip, stumble, tumble

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Spill

Words with the opposite meaning of Spill:

cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud, veil

Related Words for Spill

confide, share, debunk, show up, unclothe, undrape, advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, declare, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound, betray, blab, give away, leak, inform, squeal, talk, communicate, impart, relate, acknowledge

Near Antonyms of Spill

camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade

Word Forms of Spill

Inflections: spilled, spilt, spilling

Derived words: spillable (adjective), spiller (noun)

Origin & Etymology 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

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Spill

Words & Phrases Containing Spill

spill one's guts, spill the beans, spill out, take a spill

Frequently Asked Questions about Spill

What does "Spill" mean?

"Spill" means to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Spill"?

Other words for "Spill" include bare, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal and tell. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Spill" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Spill"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Spill". Common alternatives include bare, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal, tell, unbosom and uncloak.

What is the opposite of "Spill"?

Antonyms of "Spill" include cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud and veil. Near antonyms include camouflage, disguise, gild and gloss (over).

How do you use "Spill" in a sentence?

Examples of "Spill" in a sentence: "the actor's butler spilled the secret to a tabloid for $40,000"; "she tripped over the toy and had a nasty spill on the stairs".

Is "Spill" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Spill" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Spill" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Spill" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Spill"?

"Spill" is pronounced /ˈspil/.