v. 1. To say or read aloud the letters ot a word, one by one; spell. John could not understand the word the teacher was saying, so she spelled it out on the blackboard. 2. To read slowly, have trouble in understanding. The little boy spelled out the printed words. 3. informal To explain something in very simple words; explain very clearly. The class could not understand the problem, so the teacher spelled it out for them. Before the game the coach spelled out to the players what he wanted them to do.
Compare: WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE.