spell off

See also: spelloff and spell-off

English

Pronunciation

• Verb:

  (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌspɛl ˈɔf/

  (cot–caught merger, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˌspɛl ˈɑf/

  (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌspɛl ˈɒf/

• Noun:

  (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈspɛlˌɔf/

  (cot–caught merger, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈspɛlˌɑf/

  (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈspɛlˌɒf/

Etymology 1

Verb

spell off (third-person singular simple present spells off, present participle spelling off, simple past and past participle spelled off or (mostly UK) spelt off)

1. In a spelling bee, of two or more participants, to spell words one after the other until a champion is determined. Usually refers to a series of rounds of spelling in which no spellers are eliminated.
2. (broadly) To participate in a spelling bee.

Noun

spell off (plural spell offs)

1. Alternative spelling of spell-off

Etymology 2

Verb

spell off (third-person singular simple present spells off, present participle spelling off, simple past and past participle spelled off)

1. (transitive) To relieve (a worker) temporarily by taking his or her place.

Further reading

• “spell off”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.