Definition of reverse spelling
: an unphonetic and unetymological spelling imitating the same spelling in words where it is etymological but no longer phonetic (as limb from lim, compare lamb, where b is etymological; delight from delit, compare light; Swanage from Swanwich \ˈswänij\ compare savage)
Comments on reverse spelling
What made you want to look up reverse spelling? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz - Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share reverse spelling