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

There's pages upon pages with just small tweaks, spelling mistakes with names or shift one state away from the other. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Instead of math worksheets and spelling tests, a group of fourth graders recently spent the day making opening statements, questioning evidence, and debating a verdict inside a real Cobb County courtroom. — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Police did not explain the discrepancy and reiterated their spelling as Shital. — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 9 July 2026

The surname Eisenkot, despite its Ashkenazic appearance, is a variant spelling of Azencot, a name of Amazigh (Berber) origin and common among Sephardi Jews. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

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