spin
noun
Definitions of spin noun
movement
- CountableUncountable
The act of something rapidly turning around.
My car hit an object on the road, causing it to go into a spin.
The aircraft suddenly began to spin uncontrollably.
These clothes require another spin in the machine—they are still very damp.
perspective
- UncountableSingularinformal
A particular way of describing a situation or idea that is intended to make it seem better or more acceptable, often in a political context.
They attempted to present the situation in a positive light.
The report offers a completely different perspective on the matter.
The politician cleverly spun the negative media coverage of the scandal.
trip
- CountableUsually singularold-fashioned
A short pleasure trip in a car.
Rupert took me for a drive in his brand new car.
We decided to go for a spin in the countryside to enjoy the lovely weather.
verb
Definitions of spin verb
rotate
- C1TransitiveIntransitive
To turn or cause to turn around and around, especially quickly.
The Earth rotates on its axis.
The roulette players watched in silence as the wheel revolved.
His car hit a tree and veered off the road, resulting in his death.
create
- TransitiveIntransitive
To create thread by twisting fibers together, or to produce something using thread.
The final stage of cotton production involves spinning it into thread.
Spiders make webs.
The factory spins high-quality wool yarn.
move
- IntransitiveVerb + adv/prepinformal
To move quickly, or to move quickly in a vehicle.
We were speeding along, when suddenly a tire blew out.
Chris sped by in a flashy new car.
They spun down the country lanes, relishing the feeling of freedom.
Phrases of spin verb
- head/room spins
To experience a sensation as if your head or the surrounding environment is turning around, leading to a loss of balance.
• I suddenly felt the room spin and had to hold onto the wall.
- spin (someone) a story/tale/yarn
To create and narrate a story, either with the intent to deceive or for the purpose of entertainment.
• He spun a story about needing to take time off work because his grandmother was ill.
Idioms
- in a spin
Experiencing a state of worry and confusion, often leading to disorganization and an inability to think clearly.
• She's been in a spin ever since she found out her exam results.
- spin out of control
To rapidly become impossible to manage or control; to escalate quickly in an uncontrolled manner.
• Within months, the project's costs had spun completely out of control.
- spin a coin
To cause a coin to rotate on its edge, typically to make a random decision by guessing which side will land face up.
• Let’s spin a coin to determine who goes first.
Phrasal Verbs of spin
- spin something off
to yield an advantageous and unforeseen outcome in addition to the primary objective
• The launch of the new product spun off opportunities in other markets.
- spin (someone) around
to swiftly pivot either your own or another's body to face the opposite way
• He quickly spun her around to face the others.