Fit vs. Spell — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Fit and Spell
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Compare with Definitions
Fit
Of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose
The house was not fit for human habitation
Is the water clean and fit to drink?
Spell
To name or write in order the letters constituting (a word).
Fit
In good health, especially because of regular physical exercise
The measures would ensure a leaner, fitter company
My family keep fit by walking and cycling
Spell
To constitute the letters of (a word)
These letters spell animal.
Fit
Be of the right shape and size for
Those jeans still fit me
The shoes fitted better after being stretched
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Spell
To add up to; signify
Their unwise investment could spell financial ruin.
Fit
Install or fix (something) into place
They fitted smoke alarms to their home
Spell
To name or write in order the letters of a word or words
I've never been able to spell very well.
Fit
Be compatible or in agreement with; match
The landlord had not seen anyone fitting that description
Spell
To put (someone) under a spell; bewitch.
Fit
Have an epileptic fit
He started fitting uncontrollably
Spell
To relieve (someone) from work temporarily by taking a turn.
Fit
The particular way in which something, especially a garment or component, fits
The dress was a perfect fit
Spell
To allow (someone) to rest a while.
Fit
A sudden attack of convulsions and/or loss of consciousness, typical of epilepsy and some other medical conditions
The child had frequent fits
Spell
To take turns working.
Fit
A sudden short period of uncontrollable coughing, laughter, etc.
Spell
(Australian) To rest for a time from an activity.
Fit
A section of a poem.
Spell
A word or formula believed to have magic power.
Fit
To be the proper size and shape for
These shoes fit me.
Spell
A bewitched state or trance
The sorcerer put the prince under a spell.
Fit
To cause to be the proper size and shape
The tailor fitted the trousers by shortening them.
Spell
A compelling attraction; charm or fascination
The spell of the theater.
Fit
To measure for proper size
She fitted me for a new jacket.
Spell
A short, indefinite period of time.
Fit
To be appropriate to; suit
Music that fits your mood.
Spell
(Informal) A period of weather of a particular kind
A dry spell.
Fit
To be in conformity or agreement with
Observations that fit the theory nicely.
Spell
One's turn at work.
Fit
To make suitable; adapt
Fitted the shelves for large books.
Spell
A period of work; a shift.
Fit
To make ready; prepare
Specialized training fitted her for the job.
Spell
(Australian) A period of rest.
Fit
To equip; outfit
Fit out a ship.
Spell
(Informal) A period of physical or mental disorder or distress
A dizzy spell.
Fit
To provide a place or time for
You can't fit any more toys in the box. The doctor can fit you in today.
Spell
(Informal) A short distance.
Fit
To insert or adjust so as to be properly in place
Fit a handle on a door.
Spell
Words or a formula supposed to have magical powers.
He cast a spell to cure warts.
Fit
To be the proper size and shape.
Spell
A magical effect or influence induced by an incantation or formula.
Under a spell
Fit
To be suited; belong
Doesn't fit in with these people.
Spell
(obsolete) Speech, discourse.
Fit
To be in harmony; agree
His good mood fit in with the joyful occasion.
Spell
A shift (of work); (rare) a set of workers responsible for a specific turn of labour.
Fit
Suited, adapted, or acceptable for a given circumstance or purpose
Not a fit time for flippancy.
Spell
(informal) A definite period (of work or other activity).
Fit
Appropriate; proper
Do as you see fit.
Spell
(colloquial) An indefinite period of time (usually with a qualifier); by extension, a relatively short distance.
Fit
Physically sound; healthy
Keeps fit with diet and exercise.
Spell
A period of rest; time off.
Fit
(Biology) Able to survive and produce viable offspring in a particular environment
Spell
A period of illness, or sudden interval of bad spirits, disease etc.
Fit
The state, quality, or way of being fitted
The proper fit of means to ends.
Spell
(cricket) An uninterrupted series of alternate overs bowled by a single bowler.
Fit
The manner in which clothing fits
A jacket with a tight fit.
Spell
(dialectal) A splinter, usually of wood; a spelk.
Fit
The degree of precision with which surfaces are adjusted or adapted to each other in a machine or collection of parts.
Spell
The wooden bat in the game of trap ball, or knurr and spell.
Fit
A seizure or convulsion, especially one caused by epilepsy.
Spell
To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm.
Fit
A sudden physical outburst
A fit of coughing.
A fit of laughter.
Spell
To read (something) as though letter by letter; to peruse slowly or with effort.
Fit
A sudden, involuntary physical reaction
A fit of shivering.
A fit of cramps.
Spell
To write or say the letters that form a word or part of a word.
Fit
A sudden, involuntary mental experience
A fit of amnesia.
A fit of déjà vu.
Spell
(intransitive) To be able to write or say the letters that form words.
I find it difficult to spell because I'm dyslexic.
Fit
A sudden outburst of emotion
A fit of jealousy.
Spell
(transitive) Of letters: to compose (a word).
The letters “a”, “n” and “d” spell “and”.
Fit
A sudden period of vigorous activity.
Spell
To clarify; to explain in detail.
Please spell it out for me.
Fit
A section of a poem or ballad.
Spell
(transitive) To indicate that (some event) will occur.
This spells trouble.
Fit
Suitable, proper.
You have nothing to say about it. I'll do exactly as I see fit.
Spell
To constitute; to measure.
Fit
Adapted to a purpose or environment.
Survival of the fittest
Spell
(obsolete) To speak, to declaim.
Fit
In good shape; physically well.
You don't have to be a good climber for Kilimanjaro, but you do have to be fit.
Spell
(obsolete) To tell; to relate; to teach.
Fit
Sexually attractive; good-looking; fanciable.
I think the girl working in the office is fit.
Spell
(transitive) To work in place of (someone).
To spell the helmsman
Fit
Prepared; ready.
Spell
(transitive) To rest (someone or something), to give someone or something a rest or break.
They spelled the horses and rested in the shade of some trees near a brook.
Fit
(transitive) To be suitable for.
It fits the purpose.
Spell
To rest from work for a time.
Fit
(intransitive) To have sufficient space available at some location to be able to be there.
Ten clowns fit in the car, but not a hundred.
A grain of sand will fit in the cave, but an elephant will not.
Spell
A spelk, or splinter.
Fit
(transitive) To conform to in size and shape.
The small shirt doesn't fit me, so I'll buy the medium size.
If I lose a few kilos, the gorgeous wedding dress might fit me.
Spell
The relief of one person by another in any piece of work or watching; also, a turn at work which is carried on by one person or gang relieving another; as, a spell at the pumps; a spell at the masthead.
A spell at the wheel is called a trick.
Fit
(intransitive) To be of the right size and shape
I wanted to borrow my little sister's jeans, but they didn't fit.
That plug fit into the other socket, but it won't go in this one.
Spell
The time during which one person or gang works until relieved; hence, any relatively short period of time, whether a few hours, days, or weeks.
Nothing new has happened in this quarter, except the setting in of a severe spell of cold weather.
Fit
To make conform in size and shape.
I want to fit the drapes to the windows.
Spell
One of two or more persons or gangs who work by spells.
Their toil is so extreme that they can not endure it above four hours in a day, but are succeeded by spells.
Fit
(transitive) To tailor; to change to the appropriate size.
I had a suit fitted by the tailor.
Spell
A gratuitous helping forward of another's work; as, a logging spell.
Fit
(transitive) To be in agreement with.
These definitions fit most of the usage.
Spell
A story; a tale.
Fit
(transitive) To adjust.
The regression program fit a line to the data.
Spell
A stanza, verse, or phrase supposed to be endowed with magical power; an incantation; hence, any charm.
Start not; her actions shall be holy asYou hear my spell is lawful.
Fit
(transitive) To attach, especially when requiring exact positioning or sizing.
Spell
To supply the place of for a time; to take the turn of, at work; to relieve; as, to spell the helmsman.
Fit
(transitive) To equip or supply.
The chandler will fit us with provisions for a month.
Spell
To tell; to relate; to teach.
Might I that legend find,By fairies spelt in mystic rhymes.
Fit
(transitive) To make ready.
I'm fitting the ship for a summer sail home.
Spell
To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm.
He was much spelled with Eleanor Talbot.
Fit
To be seemly.
Spell
To constitute; to measure.
The Saxon heptarchy, when seven kings put together did spell but one in effect.
Fit
To be proper or becoming.
Spell
To tell or name in their proper order letters of, as a word; to write or print in order the letters of, esp. the proper letters; to form, as words, by correct orthography.
The word "satire" ought to be spelled with i, and not with y.
Fit
(intransitive) To be in harmony.
The paint, the fabrics, the rugs all fit.
Spell
To discover by characters or marks; to read with difficulty; - usually with out; as, to spell out the sense of an author; to spell out a verse in the Bible.
To spell out a God in the works of creation.
To sit spelling and observing divine justice upon every accident.
Fit
To suffer a fit.
Spell
To form words with letters, esp. with the proper letters, either orally or in writing.
When what small knowledge was, in them did dwell,And he a god, who could but read or spell.
Fit
Fight; fought.
Spell
To study by noting characters; to gain knowledge or learn the meaning of anything, by study.
Where I may sit and rightly spellOf every star that heaven doth shew,And every herb that sips the dew.
Fit
The degree to which something fits.
This shirt is a bad fit.
Since he put on weight, his jeans have been a tight fit.
Spell
A psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
Fit
Conformity of elements one to another.
It's hard to get a good fit using second-hand parts.
Spell
A time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else);
It's my go
A spell of work
Fit
The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.
Spell
A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition;
He was here for a little while
I need to rest for a piece
A spell of good weather
A patch of bad weather
Fit
(advertising) Measure of how well a particular commercial execution captures the character or values of a brand.
The Wonder Bread advertising research results showed the “White Picket Fence” commercial had strong fit ratings.
Spell
A verbal formula believed to have magical force;
He whispered a spell as he moved his hands
Inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese
Fit
(statistics) Goodness of fit.
Spell
Recite the letters of or give the spelling of;
How do you spell this word?
Fit
(bridge) The quality of a partnership's combined holding of cards in a suit, particularly of trump.
During the auction, it is often a partnership's goal to find an eight-card major suit fit.
Spell
Indicate or signify;
I'm afraid this spells trouble!
Fit
(archaic) A section of a poem or ballad.
Spell
Write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word);
He spelled the word wrong in this letter
Fit
A seizure or convulsion.
My grandfather died after having a fit.
Spell
Place under a spell
Fit
(medicine) A sudden and vigorous appearance of a symptom over a short period of time.
Fit
A sudden outburst of emotion.
He had a laughing fit which lasted more than ten minutes.
She had a fit and threw all of his clothes out through the window.
He threw a fit when his car broke down.
Fit
A sudden burst (of an activity).
Fit
(informal) An outfit, a set of clothing.
How do you like the fit?
Fit
In Old English, a song; a strain; a canto or portion of a ballad; a passus.
To play some pleasant fit.
Fit
The quality of being fit; adjustment; adaptedness; as of dress to the person of the wearer.
Fit
The coincidence of parts that come in contact.
Fit
A stroke or blow.
Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin,That keeps thy body from the bitter fit.
Fit
A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm; hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general, an attack of disease; as, a fit of sickness.
And when the fit was on him, I did markHow he did shake.
Fit
A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm; as, a fit of melancholy, of passion, or of laughter.
All fits of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree of pain.
The English, however, were on this subject prone to fits of jealously.
Fit
A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort, activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or inaction; an impulsive and irregular action.
The fits of the season.
Fit
A darting point; a sudden emission.
A tongue of light, a fit of flame.
Fit
Adapted to an end, object, or design; suitable by nature or by art; suited by character, qualitties, circumstances, education, etc.; qualified; competent; worthy.
That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in.
Fit audience find, though few.
Fit
Prepared; ready.
So fit to shoot, she singled forth amongher foes who first her quarry's strength should feel.
Fit
Conformed to a standart of duty, properiety, or taste; convenient; meet; becoming; proper.
Is it fit to say a king, Thou art wicked?
Fit
To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the purpose intended; to qualify; to put into a condition of readiness or preparation.
The time is fitted for the duty.
The very situation for which he was peculiarly fitted by nature.
Fit
To bring to a required form and size; to shape aright; to adapt to a model; to adjust; - said especially of the work of a carpenter, machinist, tailor, etc.
The carpenter . . . marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes.
Fit
To supply with something that is suitable or fit, or that is shaped and adjusted to the use required.
No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves.
Fit
To be suitable to; to answer the requirements of; to be correctly shaped and adjusted to; as, if the coat fits you, put it on.
That's a bountiful answer that fits all questions.
That time best fits the work.
Fit
To be proper or becoming.
Nor fits it to prolong the feast.
Fit
To be adjusted to a particular shape or size; to suit; to be adapted; as, his coat fits very well.
Fit
A display of bad temper;
He had a fit
She threw a tantrum
He made a scene
Fit
A sudden uncontrollable attack;
A paroxysm of giggling
A fit of coughing
Convulsions of laughter
Fit
The manner in which something fits;
I admired the fit of her coat
Fit
A sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason);
A burst of applause
A fit of housecleaning
Fit
Be agreeable or acceptable to;
This suits my needs
Fit
Be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired;
This piece won't fit into the puzzle
Fit
Satisfy a condition or restriction;
Does this paper meet the requirements for the degree?
Fit
Make fit;
Fit a dress
He fitted other pieces of paper to his cut-out
Fit
Insert or adjust several objects or people;
Can you fit the toy into the box?
This man can't fit himself into our work environment
Fit
Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics;
The two stories don't agree in many details
The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
Fit
Conform to some shape or size;
How does this shirt fit?
Fit
Provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose;
The expedition was equipped with proper clothing, food, and other necessities
Fit
Make correspond or harmonize;
Match my sweater
Fit
Meeting adequate standards for a purpose;
A fit subject for discussion
It is fit and proper that you be there
Water fit to drink
Fit for duty
Do as you see fit to
Fit
(usually followed by `to' or `for') on the point of or strongly disposed;
In no fit state to continue
Fit to drop
Laughing fit to burst
She was fit to scream
Primed for a fight
We are set to go at any time
Fit
Physically and mentally sound or healthy;
Felt relaxed and fit after their holiday
Keeps fit with diet and exercise
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