Hiatus vs. Spell — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 25, 2024
Hiatus refers to a break or interruption in continuity, often from work or activity; a spell is a short period or duration of time, marked by a specific condition or event.
Difference Between Hiatus and Spell
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A hiatus typically signifies a pause or gap in a sequence, process, or activity, often deliberate and planned. For instance, a TV series might go on hiatus between seasons. In contrast, a spell usually describes a brief and defined period characterized by a particular condition, such as a spell of cold weather. This differentiation primarily hinges on the intentionality and duration of the break or period.
While a hiatus often implies a suspension or discontinuation, which might be temporary or permanent, a spell indicates a transient phase. For example, a person might take a hiatus from work for personal growth or recovery, suggesting a significant break. Conversely, a brief spell of tiredness might just last a few hours or days, typically without long-term implications.
Hiatuses are frequently used in professional or creative contexts to denote periods of rest or transition, allowing for rejuvenation or reevaluation. For example, an academic might take a research hiatus to focus on fieldwork or study. On the other hand, spells are more commonly associated with weather patterns, emotional states, or short-lived phenomena, such as a spell of laughter during a comedy show.
In terms of usage, "hiatus" can often carry a more formal or serious connotation, implying a notable interruption that is recognized and acknowledged by others. A spell, however, is generally more informal or colloquial, used to describe everyday occurrences and conditions that are temporary and less significant.
The choice between hiatus and spell can also reflect the speaker’s perspective on the nature of the time period discussed. A hiatus might be announced in advance and involve planning, while a spell might be noticed only in retrospect or as it occurs, emphasizing its spontaneous or unexpected nature.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A break or interruption
A short period of time
Connotation
Often serious and planned
Typically casual and transient
Common Usage
In work, creative projects
In describing weather, emotions
Duration
Can be long-term
Generally short-term
Intentionality
Usually deliberate
Often spontaneous
Compare with Definitions
Hiatus
Break.
She took a hiatus from social media to focus on her studies.
Spell
Stretch.
He had a busy spell at work before the holiday.
Hiatus
Interruption.
The band announced a hiatus after their European tour.
Spell
Duration.
We had a dry spell last summer for about two months.
Hiatus
Pause.
He's on a hiatus from work for health reasons.
Spell
Sequence.
There was a spell of sunny days in April.
Hiatus
Suspension.
The series was put on hiatus until further notice.
Spell
Period.
She had a spell of dizziness this morning.
Hiatus
Gap.
There was a noticeable hiatus in the conversation.
Spell
Phase.
The country went through a cold spell in January.
Hiatus
An unexpected break from work.
Berserk's hiatus is never going to end now...
Spell
To name or write in order the letters constituting (a word).
Hiatus
A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break
"We are likely to be disconcerted by ... hiatuses of thought" (Edmund Wilson).
Spell
To constitute the letters of (a word)
These letters spell animal.
Hiatus
(Linguistics) A slight pause that occurs when two immediately adjacent vowels in consecutive syllables are pronounced, as in reality and naive.
Spell
To add up to; signify
Their unwise investment could spell financial ruin.
Hiatus
(Anatomy) A separation, aperture, fissure, or short passage in an organ or body part.
Spell
To name or write in order the letters of a word or words
I've never been able to spell very well.
Hiatus
A gap in a series, making it incomplete.
Spell
To put (someone) under a spell; bewitch.
Hiatus
An interruption, break or pause.
The band decided to go on hiatus, citing creative differences.
Spell
To relieve (someone) from work temporarily by taking a turn.
Hiatus
(geology) A gap in geological strata.
Spell
To allow (someone) to rest a while.
Hiatus
(anatomy) An opening in an organ.
Hiatus aorticus is an opening in the diaphragm through which aorta and thoracic duct pass.
Spell
To take turns working.
Hiatus
A syllable break between two vowels, without an intervening consonant. (Compare diphthong.)
Spell
(Australian) To rest for a time from an activity.
Hiatus
A temporary absence from the public or the mainstream.
Spell
A word or formula believed to have magic power.
Hiatus
An opening; an aperture; a gap; a chasm; esp., a defect in a manuscript, where some part is lost or effaced; a space where something is wanting; a break.
Spell
A bewitched state or trance
The sorcerer put the prince under a spell.
Hiatus
The concurrence of two vowels in two successive words or syllables.
Spell
A compelling attraction; charm or fascination
The spell of the theater.
Hiatus
An interruption in the intensity or amount of something
Spell
A short, indefinite period of time.
Hiatus
A missing piece (as a gap in a manuscript)
Spell
(Informal) A period of weather of a particular kind
A dry spell.
Hiatus
A natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure
Spell
One's turn at work.
Spell
A period of work; a shift.
Spell
(Australian) A period of rest.
Spell
(Informal) A period of physical or mental disorder or distress
A dizzy spell.
Spell
(Informal) A short distance.
Spell
Words or a formula supposed to have magical powers.
He cast a spell to cure warts.
Spell
A magical effect or influence induced by an incantation or formula.
Under a spell
Spell
(obsolete) Speech, discourse.
Spell
A shift (of work); (rare) a set of workers responsible for a specific turn of labour.
Spell
(informal) A definite period (of work or other activity).
Spell
(colloquial) An indefinite period of time (usually with a qualifier); by extension, a relatively short distance.
Spell
A period of rest; time off.
Spell
A period of illness, or sudden interval of bad spirits, disease etc.
Spell
(cricket) An uninterrupted series of alternate overs bowled by a single bowler.
Spell
(dialectal) A splinter, usually of wood; a spelk.
Spell
The wooden bat in the game of trap ball, or knurr and spell.
Spell
To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm.
Spell
To read (something) as though letter by letter; to peruse slowly or with effort.
Spell
To write or say the letters that form a word or part of a word.
Spell
(intransitive) To be able to write or say the letters that form words.
I find it difficult to spell because I'm dyslexic.
Spell
(transitive) Of letters: to compose (a word).
The letters “a”, “n” and “d” spell “and”.
Spell
To clarify; to explain in detail.
Please spell it out for me.
Spell
(transitive) To indicate that (some event) will occur.
This spells trouble.
Spell
To constitute; to measure.
Spell
(obsolete) To speak, to declaim.
Spell
(obsolete) To tell; to relate; to teach.
Spell
(transitive) To work in place of (someone).
To spell the helmsman
Spell
(transitive) To rest (someone or something), to give someone or something a rest or break.
They spelled the horses and rested in the shade of some trees near a brook.
Spell
To rest from work for a time.
Spell
A spelk, or splinter.
Spell
The relief of one person by another in any piece of work or watching; also, a turn at work which is carried on by one person or gang relieving another; as, a spell at the pumps; a spell at the masthead.
A spell at the wheel is called a trick.
Spell
The time during which one person or gang works until relieved; hence, any relatively short period of time, whether a few hours, days, or weeks.
Nothing new has happened in this quarter, except the setting in of a severe spell of cold weather.
Spell
One of two or more persons or gangs who work by spells.
Their toil is so extreme that they can not endure it above four hours in a day, but are succeeded by spells.
Spell
A gratuitous helping forward of another's work; as, a logging spell.
Spell
A story; a tale.
Spell
A stanza, verse, or phrase supposed to be endowed with magical power; an incantation; hence, any charm.
Start not; her actions shall be holy asYou hear my spell is lawful.
Spell
To supply the place of for a time; to take the turn of, at work; to relieve; as, to spell the helmsman.
Spell
To tell; to relate; to teach.
Might I that legend find,By fairies spelt in mystic rhymes.
Spell
To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm.
He was much spelled with Eleanor Talbot.
Spell
To constitute; to measure.
The Saxon heptarchy, when seven kings put together did spell but one in effect.
Spell
To tell or name in their proper order letters of, as a word; to write or print in order the letters of, esp. the proper letters; to form, as words, by correct orthography.
The word "satire" ought to be spelled with i, and not with y.
Spell
To discover by characters or marks; to read with difficulty; - usually with out; as, to spell out the sense of an author; to spell out a verse in the Bible.
To spell out a God in the works of creation.
To sit spelling and observing divine justice upon every accident.
Spell
To form words with letters, esp. with the proper letters, either orally or in writing.
When what small knowledge was, in them did dwell,And he a god, who could but read or spell.
Spell
To study by noting characters; to gain knowledge or learn the meaning of anything, by study.
Where I may sit and rightly spellOf every star that heaven doth shew,And every herb that sips the dew.
Spell
A psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
Spell
A time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else);
It's my go
A spell of work
Spell
A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition;
He was here for a little while
I need to rest for a piece
A spell of good weather
A patch of bad weather
Spell
A verbal formula believed to have magical force;
He whispered a spell as he moved his hands
Inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese
Spell
Recite the letters of or give the spelling of;
How do you spell this word?
Spell
Indicate or signify;
I'm afraid this spells trouble!
Spell
Write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word);
He spelled the word wrong in this letter
Spell
Place under a spell
Common Curiosities
What does spell mean in terms of time?
A spell refers to a short, often definite period marked by a specific condition or occurrence.
What is a hiatus?
A hiatus is a pause or break in activity, typically one that is planned or long-term.
How is a spell of weather described?
A spell of weather refers to a short period characterized by specific weather conditions, like a cold spell.
What might cause a hiatus?
Hiatuses can be caused by personal choices, professional decisions, or even health reasons.
Is a hiatus always intentional?
While not always, hiatuses are typically intentional and used for deliberate breaks from routines or activities.
Can a company take a hiatus?
Yes, companies might go on hiatus, often to restructure or reevaluate business strategies.
What is the difference in duration between a hiatus and a spell?
A hiatus usually lasts longer than a spell, which is generally brief and fleeting.
How do you announce a hiatus?
Announcing a hiatus typically involves informing relevant parties about the timing and reason for the break.
Can hiatus and spell be used interchangeably?
No, hiatus implies a longer, often deliberate break, while a spell is a brief and specific period.
What is an example of a spell in literature?
In literature, a spell might describe a brief period during which specific events or emotions dominate.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
