spelling

1 of 2

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

spelling

2 of 2

present participle of spell entry 1, spell entry 3, spell entry 5

Examples of spelling in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Karoline Leavitt's name. — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026

Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner previously provided a different spelling of Williams’ first name. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026

Aside from Grey’s football player dad who has Marsean as a middle name, there aren’t any other notable figures with this spelling. — Anna Halkidis, Parents, 5 Nov. 2026

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Luca Marchetto's surname. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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