WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
bean /bin/USA pronunciation
n.
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- [countable]
- Plant Biologythe nutritious seed of various plants of the legume family, eaten as a vegetable:a can of beans.
- Plant Biologya plant producing such seeds.
- any of various other beanlike seeds or plants:the smell of freshly ground coffee beans.
- Slang TermsInformal. a person's head:Now you're using your bean.
- Informal Terms beans, [plural] Informal. (used with negative words or phrases) the slightest amount: He doesn't know beans about navigation.
v. [~ + object]
- Slang TermsInformal. to hit on the head, esp. with a baseball.
- Idioms spill the beans, [Informal.]to disclose a secret:So, now she knows about the surprise; I wonder who spilled the beans?
spill1 /spɪl/USA pronunciation
v., spilled or spilt/spɪlt/USA pronunciation spill•ing, n.
v.
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026v.
-
- to (cause or allow to) run or fall from a container, esp. accidentally or wastefully: [~ + object]to spill milk from a glass.[no object]The milk spilled on the floor.
- [no object] to flow, esp. beyond the customary boundaries:Tears spilled from her eyes.
- to shed (blood), as in killing:[~ + object]Too much blood has already been spilled over this foolish dispute.
- to scatter:[~ + object]to spill papers all over the floor.
- to cause to fall from a horse, vehicle, or the like:[~ + object]That wild horse managed to spill every rider who got on him.
- Informal Terms[~ + object] to let (a secret) become known; divulge.
- to move in great numbers;
pour out:[no object]As soon as the bell rang the children spilled into the playground.
n. [countable]
- a spilling, as of liquid:another dangerous oil spill.
- a fall from a horse, vehicle, or the like:took a bad spill from the pony.
bean
(bēn),USA pronunciation n.
v.t.
interj.
bean′like′, adj.
Bean (bēn),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Plant Biologythe edible nutritious seed of various plants of the legume family, esp. of the genus Phaseolus.
- Plant Biologya plant producing such seeds.
- Plant Biologythe pod of such a plant, esp. when immature and eaten as a vegetable.
- any of various other beanlike seeds or plants, as the coffee bean.
- Slang Terms
- a person's head.
- a coin or a bank note considered as a coin:I can't pay for the ticket, I don't have a bean in my jeans.
- British Termsa minimum amount of money:They've been disinherited and now haven't a bean.
- Informal Terms beans, the slightest amount:He doesn't know beans about navigation.
- Idioms full of beans, [Informal.]
- energetic;
vigorously active;
vital:He is still full of beans at 95. - stupid;
erroneous;
misinformed.
- energetic;
- spill the beans, [Informal.]to disclose a secret, either accidentally or imprudently, thereby ruining a surprise or plan:He spilled the beans, and she knew all about the party in advance.
v.t.
- Slang Termsto hit on the head, esp. with a baseball.
interj.
- beans, (used to express disbelief, annoyance, etc.).
- European Indo-European *bhabh-
- Gmc *babnō, cognate with Russian bob, Latin faba
- bef. 950; Middle English bene, Old English bēan; cognate with Old Norse baun, Old Frisian bāne, Dutch boon, Old Saxon, Old High German bona (German Bohne), probably
Bean (bēn),USA pronunciation n.
- Biographical Alan L(aVern), born 1932, U.S. astronaut.
- Biographical Roy ("Judge''), 1825?–1903, U.S. frontiersman and justice of the peace: called himself "the law west of the Pecos.''
spill1
(spil),USA pronunciation v., spilled or spilt, spill•ing, n.
v.t.
v.i.
n.
spill′a•ble, adj., n.
spill2 (spil),USA pronunciation n.
v.t.
- to cause or allow to run or fall from a container, esp. accidentally or wastefully:to spill a bag of marbles; to spill milk.
- to shed (blood), as in killing or wounding.
- to scatter:to spill papers all over everything.
- Nautical, Naval Terms
- to let the wind out of (a sail).
- to lose (wind) from a sail.
- to cause to fall from a horse, vehicle, or the like:His horse spilled him.
- Informal Termsto divulge, disclose, or tell:Don't spill the secret.
- spill the beans. See bean (def. 9).
v.i.
- (of a liquid, loose particles, etc.) to run or escape from a container, esp. by accident or in careless handling.
n.
- a spilling, as of liquid.
- a quantity spilled.
- the mark made by something spilled.
- Civil Engineeringa spillway.
- Photography, Show BusinessAlso called spill′ light′. superfluous or useless light rays, as from theatrical or photographic lighting units.
- Show Business[Theat.]an area of a stage illuminated by spill light.
- a throw or fall from a horse, vehicle, or the like:She broke her arm in a spill.
- bef. 950; 1920–25 for def. 6; Middle English spillen to kill, destroy, shed (blood), Old English spillan to kill; cognate with Middle High German, Middle Dutch spillen; akin to spoil
spill2 (spil),USA pronunciation n.
- a splinter.
- a slender piece of wood or of twisted paper, for lighting candles, lamps, etc.
- Buildinga peg made of metal.
- a small pin for stopping a cask;
spile. - Miningforepole.
- ?
- Middle English spille 1250–1300
'spill the beans' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):