spin

¹spin

verb \ˈspin\

spun\ˈspən\spin·ning

Definition of SPIN

intransitive verb

1

: to draw out and twist fiber into yarn or thread

2

: to form a thread by extruding a viscous rapidly hardening fluid —used especially of a spider or insect

3

a : to revolve rapidly : gyrate b : to feel as if in a whirl : reel <my head is spinning>

4

: to move swiftly especially on or as if on wheels or in a vehicle

5

: to fish with spinning bait : troll

6

a of an airplane : to fall in a spin b : to plunge helplessly and out of control

7

: to engage in spin control (as in politics)

transitive verb

1

a : to draw out and twist into yarns or threads b : to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material

2

: to form (as a web or cocoon) by spinning

3

a : to stretch out or extend (as a story) lengthily : protract —usually used with out b : to evolve, express, or fabricate by processes of mind or imagination <spin a yarn>

4

: to cause to whirl : impart spin to <spin a top>

5

: to shape into threadlike form in manufacture; also : to manufacture by a whirling process

6

: to set (records or compact discs) rotating on a player : play <spin some discs>

7

: to present (as information) with a particular spin <spin the statistics>

— spin one's wheels

: to make futile efforts to achieve progress

Examples of SPIN

1. The car hit a patch of ice and spun into the wall.
2. The children were spinning a top.
3. I tried to stand up but the room was spinning.
4. She spun the silk into thread.
5. They spun the wool into yarn.

Origin of SPIN

Middle English spinnen, from Old English spinnan; akin to Old High German spinnan to spin and perhaps to Lithuanian spęsti to set (a trap)

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SPIN

Synonyms: gyrate, pinwheel, pirouette, revolve, roll, rotate, turn, twirl, wheel, whirl

Related Words: coil, curl, curve, round, spiral, swirl, twine, twist, wind; circle, circulate, encircle, orbit, ring; pivot, swivel

Near Antonyms: calm, collect; settle, steady

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with SPIN

bin, blin, chin, din, fin, Finn, Fyn, gin, grin, Gwyn, hin, in, inn, kin, linn, Lynn, pin, shin, Shin, sin, skin, thin, tin, twin, whin, win, wynn, yin, zin