spin

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To turn round and round quickly on a fixed point, or to make something do this.

   Grammar: A wheel can spin, or you can spin a wheel: the top spun; she spun the top.

   Patterns

   • spin around
   • spin something around

   The dancer spun on her toes until the music stopped.

   He spun the globe and pointed at a random country.

   The washing machine spins the clothes at high speed.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To make thread by twisting fibres together, or to produce a web or cocoon from body silk.

   Grammar: Past tense and participle are both spun.

   Patterns

   • spin something into something
   • spin something from something

   She spun the wool into a thick yarn.

   A spider spun a web across the window.

   In the old days, women spun cotton at home.

3. 3verbintransitive

   To feel dizzy, or to seem to whirl, because of shock, confusion or too much going on.

   Grammar: Often used with head: my head is spinning.

   Patterns

   • my head is spinning

   After the long flight, her head was spinning.

   The news left him with his mind spinning.

   The room began to spin when she stood up too fast.

4. 4nouncountable

   A fast turning movement round a central point.

   Grammar: Often followed by of or used in sports: the spin of a ball, a spin on the ice.

   Patterns

   • a spin of something
   • put spin on something

   The skater finished with a perfect spin.

   He gave the ball a heavy spin and it curved in the air.

   The car went into a spin on the icy road.

5. 5noununcountableinformaldisapproving

   A particular way of presenting information so that it seems more favorable, often by politicians or public relations staff.

   Grammar: Usually appears as put a spin on something; it often hints at distortion.

   Patterns

   • put a spin on something
   • spin doctor

   The minister put a positive spin on the poor economic figures.

   Don't believe the spin; look at the actual numbers.

   The company's spin on the layoffs was that it was a fresh start.

6. 6nouncountableinformal

   A short ride in a car or on a bike, taken for pleasure.

   Grammar: Usually part of the phrase go for a spin or take something for a spin.

   Patterns

   • go for a spin
   • take something for a spin

   Let's take the new car for a spin.

   We went for a spin along the coast road.

   He took his bike for a quick spin before dinner.

Word forms

Common combinations

spin around

She spun around when she heard her name.

spin a web

The spider spun a web between two branches.

put a spin on

The spokesperson put a positive spin on the news.

spin out of control

The car spun out of control on the wet road.

go for a spin

After lunch we went for a spin in his vintage car.

spin a yarn

Grandpa loved to spin a yarn about his sailing days.

Synonyms and how they differ

rotate

Rotate is more formal and technical, and suggests a steady turn about an axis.

whirl

Whirl suggests faster and wilder turning than spin, often with the idea of being carried along.

twirl

Twirl is lighter and usually describes a graceful turn, often of a person or small object.

revolve

Revolve describes turning around a central point or orbit, and it is more formal than spin.

Opposites

Word family

spinner noun

a person or device that spins

spinning noun

the act of twisting fibres into thread, or a type of exercise class

spin doctor noun

a person who gives information a favorable slant

spindle noun

a rod on which thread is twisted or something turns

Commonly confused: spin or spun?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “spin”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words