overwordExplorer
ENGLISH · A WORD WITH POSSIBILITIES

spin.

To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction.

4 characters1 syllables approx.English language

Meaning & usage

verb/spɪn/
  1. To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction.

    ergative
    I spun myself around a few times.
    Spin the ball on the floor.
  2. To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction. To enter, or remain in, a spin (abnormal stalled flight mode).

    ergative
  3. To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction. To cause one's aircraft to enter or remain in a spin (abnormal stalled flight mode).

    ergative
  4. To make yarn by twisting and winding fibers together.

    transitive
    They spin the cotton into thread.
  5. To present, describe, or interpret, or to introduce a bias or slant, so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance.

    figuratively
  6. To make the ball move sideways when it bounces on the pitch.

    This pitch is usually preferred for spin than pace.
  7. To move sideways when bouncing.

    Spinning the ball gave him figures of 7-48.
  8. To form into thin strips or ribbons, as with sugar.

  9. To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, etc.) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.

  10. To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe.

  11. To move swiftly.

    to spin along the road in a carriage, on a bicycle, etc.
  12. To stream or issue in a thread or a small current or jet.

    Blood spins from a vein.
  13. To wait in a loop until some condition becomes true.

    intransitive
  14. To rotate into the gravel or managing to remain on the straight as a result of bad weather.

    intransitive
    His car spun in the rains just after finishing lap four.
  15. To play (vinyl records, etc.) as a disc jockey.

    informal · transitive
  16. To use an exercise bicycle, especially as part of a gym class.

    intransitive
  17. To ride a bicycle at a fast cadence.

    intransitive
  18. To search rapidly.

    UK · slang · transitive
  19. To draw out tediously; prolong.

    transitive
    to spin a yarn
  20. To fish with a swivel or spoonbait.

  21. To reject at an examination; to fail (a student).

    archaic · slang · transitive
Where this word comes from

From Middle English spinnen, from Old English spinnan, from Proto-Germanic *spinnaną, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)penh₁-. Cognates Cognate with Dutch, German spinnen (“to spin”), Luxembourgish spannen (“to spin”), Yiddish שפּינען (shpinen, “spin”), Danish spinde (“to spin”), Faroese, Icelandic and Swedish spinna (“to spin”), Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk spinne (“to spin”), Gothic 𐍃𐍀𐌹𐌽𐌽𐌰𐌽 (spinnan, “to spin”).

noun/spɪn/
  1. Circular motion, usually rapid.

    countable · uncountable
    The car went into a spin.
    The skaters demonstrated their spins.
  2. A state of confusion or disorientation.

    countable · uncountable
    My mind was in a spin.
  3. A quantum angular momentum associated with subatomic particles, which also creates a magnetic moment.

    countable · uncountable
  4. A novel, creative variation of an existing thing or type; a twist.

    countable · uncountable
  5. A favourable comment or interpretation intended to bias opinion on an otherwise unpleasant situation.

    countable · figuratively · uncountable
    spin doctor
    Try to put a positive spin on the disappointing sales figures.
  6. Rotation of the ball as it flies through the air; sideways movement of the ball as it bounces.

    countable · uncountable
  7. A condition of flight where a stalled aircraft is simultaneously pitching, yawing, and rolling in a spinning motion.

    countable · uncountable
  8. An abnormal condition in journal bearings where the bearing seizes to the rotating shaft and rotates inside the journal, destroying both the shaft and the journal.

    countable · uncountable
  9. A brief trip by vehicle, especially one made for pleasure.

    countable · uncountable
    I'm off out for a spin in my new sports car.
  10. A bundle of spun material; a mass of strands and filaments.

    countable · uncountable
  11. A single play of a record; especially, one broadcast by a radio station.

    countable · uncountable
    Let's give this classic LP another spin.
  12. A search of a prisoner's cell for forbidden articles.

    UK · countable · slang · uncountable
  13. An unmarried woman; a spinster.

    countable · dated · uncountable
  14. The use of an exercise bicycle, especially as part of a gym class.

    uncountable
Where this word comes from

From Middle English spinnen, from Old English spinnan, from Proto-Germanic *spinnaną, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)penh₁-. Cognates Cognate with Dutch, German spinnen (“to spin”), Luxembourgish spannen (“to spin”), Yiddish שפּינען (shpinen, “spin”), Danish spinde (“to spin”), Faroese, Icelandic and Swedish spinna (“to spin”), Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk spinne (“to spin”), Gothic 𐍃𐍀𐌹𐌽𐌽𐌰𐌽 (spinnan, “to spin”).

noun/spɪn/
  1. A special interest of an autistic person.

    slang
Where this word comes from

Clipping of special interest.

noun/spɪn/
  1. Clipping of spinnaker.

    abbreviation · alt-of · clipping
Where this word comes from

Clipping of spinnaker.

FROM WORD TO NAME

Try it on your idea.

spin has 4 characters. Say it out loud, try it alongside a description of your project, and see whether its meaning fits what you want to create.

spin studiospin workshello, spin

These are naming prompts. Meanings and pronunciation can vary; existing brand and domain uses have not been checked.

Explore the name generator

A word with a source.

Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.

Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.