Spill
/spɪl/
verbnounA2
Definition
Spill is when something, usually a liquid like water or juice, falls out of its container by accident. It can also mean small things, like seeds or grains, falling out. As a noun, spill means the liquid or material that has fallen.
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See It in Action
Verb: To accidentally let liquid or small things fall out
- •She spilled coffee on her shirt this morning.
- •Be careful not to spill the juice on the floor.
- •The bag spilled its contents when it fell.
Noun: The liquid or things that have fallen out
- •There was a spill of oil on the road.
- •Clean up the milk spill before it dries.
- •The spill made the floor slippery.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "spill" like "drop," but spill is usually about liquids or many small things falling out all at once.
- ✓Picture a glass of water tipping over, and water flowing out onto the table and floor.
- ✓It's the feeling of surprise or small trouble when you accidentally make a mess.
- ✓Sounds like "spill" → imagine a small hill where liquid flows down and spreads out.
- ✓Think of a story where someone knocks over a cup and quickly tries to clean the mess.
- ✓NOT like "pour" (which is done carefully on purpose), "spill" is usually an accident.
- ✓NOT like "throw" (which is a strong, controlled action), "spill" is gentle and uncontrolled.
- ✓NOT like "drop" (which can be one thing falling), "spill" often means many drops or a continuous flow.
Try Other Words
- •Overflow: liquid going over the edge (Use when liquid rises and goes over on purpose or by accident)
- •Leak: liquid escaping slowly from a container (Use when liquid escapes through a small hole or crack)
- •Pour: to make liquid flow out carefully (Use when someone controls the liquid flow on purpose)
- •Drop: to let something fall (Use when one object falls, not many or liquid)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix, base word "spill")
- •Etymology: From Old English "spillan," meaning to destroy or waste, later used for letting liquid fall
- •Historical development: Originally meant to ruin or destroy, now mostly means letting liquid or things fall accidentally
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for accidents involving liquids or small things falling out, often in everyday life situations
Reflect & Connect
•Have you ever spilled something important? How did you feel and what did you do?
•Why do you think we use the word "spill" mostly for accidents and not for careful actions?
Fill in the blanks
1.She spilled the coffee ___ the table, and now she needs to ___ it quickly.
2.The bag fell and spilled its ___ all over the floor.
3.Unlike pouring carefully, spilling happens when liquid ___ out by accident.
4.A big oil spill on the road can make driving ___ and dangerous.
5.When you spill something, you often feel ___ because it makes a mess.
6.The waiter accidentally spilled the water ___ the customer’s lap.
7.After the spill, everyone helped to ___ the mess and clean the floor.