spelling

noun

spell·​ing ˈspe-liŋ 

1

: the forming of words from letters according to accepted usage : orthography

2

a

: a sequence of letters composing a word

b

: the way in which a word is spelled

Examples of spelling in a Sentence

The American spelling is “color” while the British spelling is “colour.”

The words “made” and “maid” sound alike but have different spellings.

Recent Examples on the Web

This article was updated to correct the spelling of the Strait of Hormuz. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 23 June 2025

High school seniors were asked to submit an essay describing the responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society and were graded by four judges based on grammar, spelling, originality, context and content. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of the Hortmans' last name. —Hollie Silverman peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025

Especially in multilingual markets, users frequently mix languages and use non-standard grammar, local idioms, creative spelling and hybrid sentence structures. —Alessa Cross, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spelling

• finger spelling
• reformed spelling
• spelling bee
• spelling pronunciation

Rhymes for spelling

• belling
• celling
• dwelling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• swelling

Kids Definition

spelling

noun

spell·​ing

ˈspel-iŋ

: the forming of words from letters

also : the letters composing a word