spell out meaning: definition, quotations

spell out

verb

To form (a word) from letters; say the letters in a word.

To replace an abbreviation with its unabbreviated form, such an acronym with its expansion.

When writing or editing

To avoid crypticness for nonexpert readers, she spelled out the phrase, so that "tips about PrEP in the context of OHS for HCPs" became "tips about preexposure prophylaxis in the context of occupational health and safety for health care professionals".
Spell out and in most cases. Use ampersands only when it is an official part of a name (e.g., Lewis & Clark College), as a design element, or when it is required to save space.2012, “Punctuation and Symbols”, in Portland State University: University Communications:

To explain in clear and simple terms; to be explicit.

Here is a brochure that spells out the benefits.
Dany has never had a full vision for what happens once she obtains the Iron Throne, but that’s what her advisors, including Tyrion and Varys, are for. And the show has never exactly spelled out Jon’s platform beyond “stay alive,” so he’d also require a small council.2019 May 5, Danette Chavez, “Campaigns are Waged On and Off the Game Of Thrones Battlefield (Newbies)”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 28 Jan 2021:

1 more example

Last weekend, President Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, responded that any nuclear weapon use would result in “catastrophic consequences” for Russia, adding that in private communications with Moscow, the United States had “spelled out” how America and the world would react.2022 October 1, David E. Sanger, Anton Troianovski, Julian E. Barnes, “In Washington, Putin’s Nuclear Threats Stir Growing Alarm”, in The New York Times, →ISSN: