Word of the Day: Spill
When something spills, it falls to the ground. There’s something that comes from a container, usually a liquid, and it usually makes a mess on a floor, on furniture, on a street, or on a person.
- Michelle spilled water on herself.
- When Peter tripped on a piece of carpet, he spilled the drink he was carrying.
- Someone spilled coffee all over the floor.
- Try not to spill!
- Don’t spill that!
- Diane spilled some wine on the table.
- An oil tanker spilled oil in the Gulf of Mexico, and it left a big mess.
- A truck tipped over and spilled milk on the highway.
The word “spill” can be used as a noun:
- Workers were sent to the area of the spill to clean it up as quickly as possible.
- Oil spills are damaging the environment.
- You need a bucket of water and a mop to clean up a small spill.
You can also use “spill” as an adjective:
- Someone has to clean up all of the garbage that spilled onto the highway.
- Spilled paint must be cleaned up quickly before it dries.
- At many gas stations there’s the smell of spilled gasoline.
There are a few expressions that include the word “spill.”
- Thomas spilled the beans and ruined the surprise party. (spill the beans = reveal a secret or a fact)
- A suspect for the crime spilled his guts to the police. (spill one’s guts = confess)
- Too much blood was spilled in a meaningless conflict. (blood spilled = death or injury)
- There’s no use in crying over spilled milk. (spilled milk = a small mistake)
- Much ink has been spilled in reporting on the President’s errors. (ink spilled = writing)
- The skier took a spill and broke her leg. (take a spill = to fall and become injured)
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with S page to see the list of all words starting with letter S. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
