1 B1 neutral
to flow over the edge of a container or space because there is too much inside
"The sauce spilled over as the pan boiled too hard."
inseparable
spill over
B2 neutral intransitive intransitive
to spread beyond the original limit or area into another one
In plain English
to go past the edge and affect another place or situation
What does "spill over" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
to spread into another place, area, or situation beyond the original one
"The unrest soon spilled over into nearby towns."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
to continue from one period or activity into another in a way that affects it
"Stress from work was spilling over into his family life."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to spill past the edge
Actually means
to go past the edge and affect another place or situation
Usage tip
Common in news and formal writing for violence, conflict, emotions, costs, and effects spreading into other areas.
Words that pair with "spill over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
violence conflict effects benefits emotion into neighboring areas
How to conjugate "spill over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
spill over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spills over
he/she/it
Past simple
spilled over
yesterday
Past participle
spilled over
have + pp
-ing form
spilling over
continuous
Hear "spill over" in the wild
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