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

Note: This story was updated to correct a spelling. —Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025

This post has been updated to correct the spelling of De Baraso. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Kristin Cabot's name. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025

Peak Popularity: This spelling of the name has never appeared on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) list of popular baby names. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 7 July 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