WASHINGTON (AP) – Samir Patel’s dream of winning the national spelling title, a goal that dominated the last five years of his life, ended in one quick moment Thursday with the word “clevis.”

Spectators in the Grand Hyatt ballroom gasped as the 13-year-old Texan spelled out the word for a type fastening device as “c-l-e-v-i-c-e.” The error eliminated him in the fifth round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Mr. Samir, considered by many to be this year’s favorite, wiped away tears as he talked about it later.

“The first thing I thought was c-l-e-v-i-s, and if I had been slow and cautious like I always am, I would have got it right,” he said. “But I just outsmarted myself. It was an easy word. I just made a stupid mistake.”

Thirty-three other spellers advanced to the sixth round at the 80th annual bee. The semifinals continued, with the winner set to be crowned Thursday night.

Several other top favorites from previous years remained in contention for the title, which comes with a $35,000 cash prize, plus a $5,000 scholarship, a $2,500 savings bond and a complete set of reference works. The day began with 59 spellers remaining from the record 286 who started the competition Wednesday.