spell out
Make it explicit
To spell out is to make something explicit and unambiguous, leaving nothing to inference: Let me spell it out for you: if you're late again, you're fired.
The phrase suggests the listener needs extra clarity—sometimes with condescension, as if they require information letter by letter.
Spell out also means to write or speak the individual letters of a word: Could you spell out your last name?
Make something understood
- detailSingle small element
- specifyState in detail
- elucidateTo make understood
- articulateExpress clearly, or well-spoken
expound · make clear · break down · define · interpret · demystify · simplify · elaborate
Arrange in letter order
- pronounceUtter distinctly, vocalize
- reciteSpeak from memory
- dictateGive orders imperiously
- verbalizeExpress in speech
enunciate · articulate · phonetically · letter · read aloud · vocalize · annunciate · transcribe
explain
Make something understood
articulate · expound · make clear · break down · define · interpret · demystify · simplify · elaborate · unpack
alphabetize
Arrange in letter order
verbalize · enunciate · articulate · phonetically · letter · read aloud · vocalize · annunciate · transcribe · phonics
- simplificationsimplification, simplifying, simplify, condensing, simplified
- clarifyexplain, clarify, elucidate, elaborate, explicate
- phrasal verbspick up, look at, put down, turn on, turn off
- Stadium Chantshere we go, lets go, we believe, call and response, call-and-response
- proofreading marksdele, stet, insert, transpose, caret
- educateteach, instruct, educate, tutor, school
spell outimply
Indicate without stating
gloss over · allude to · suggest · insinuate · leave to the imagination
spell, out, spells, spelling, dispel, spelled, misspell, misspelling, dispelled