Definition

Noun: A competitive event, typically for students, where participants are required to spell words aloud. A contestant is eliminated if they spell a word incorrectly.

Usage

The term "spelling bee" refers specifically to the organized competition itself. It is a compound noun. - The school is hosting the annual spelling bee next Friday. - She won the regional spelling bee by correctly spelling "logorrhea". - He practiced for months to prepare for the national spelling bee.

Advanced Usage

• To be in/at a spelling bee: To participate as a contestant.
  • My daughter is in the spelling bee this year.
• Spelling bee champion/winner: The person who wins the competition.
  • The spelling bee champion received a trophy and a dictionary.

Variants and Related Words

• Spelling contest: A more general term for a competition involving spelling.
• Bee: (In this context) A gathering for a specific purpose, often involving work or a competition (e.g., , ). The word "bee" in "spelling bee" uses this historical sense.

Synonyms

• Spelling competition
• Spelling contest

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To have a spelling bee: To organize or hold such a contest.
  • Our local library will have a spelling bee for adults.
• The pressure of the spelling bee: Refers to the stressful, competitive atmosphere of the event.
  • He felt the pressure of the spelling bee as he stepped up to the microphone.

Noun

1. a contest in which you are eliminated if you fail to spell a word correctly