When something spills, it falls to the ground. There’s something that comes from a container, usually a liquid, and it usually makes a mess on a floor, on furniture, on a street, or on a person.
Michelle spilled water on herself.
When Peter tripped on a piece of carpet, he spilled the drink he was carrying.
Someone spilled coffee all over the floor.
Try not to spill!
Don’t spill that!
Diane spilled some wine on the table.
An oil tanker spilled oil in the Gulf of Mexico, and it left a big mess.
A truck tipped over and spilled milk on the highway.
Oops! He spilled his coffee.
The word "spill" can be used as a noun:
Workers were sent to the area of the spill to clean it up as quickly as possible.
Oil spills are damaging the environment.
You need a bucket of water and a mop to clean up a small spill.
You can also use "spill" as an adjective:
Someone has to clean up all of the garbage that spilled onto the highway.
Spilled paint must be cleaned up quickly before it dries.
At many gas stations there’s the smell of spilled gasoline.
There are a few expressions that include the word "spill."
Thomas spilled the beans and ruined the surprise party. (spill the beans = reveal a secret or a fact)
A suspect for the crime spilled his guts to the police. (spill one’s guts = confess)
Too much blood was spilled in a meaningless conflict. (blood spilled = death or injury)
There’s no use in crying over spilled milk. (spilled milk = a small mistake)
Much ink has been spilled in reporting on the President’s errors. (ink spilled = writing)
The skier took a spill and broke her leg. (take a spill = to fall and become injured)
