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

The new 39-episode series is aimed at preschoolers and kindergarteners, and is based around curriculum meant to build skills including letter-sound knowledge, phonological awareness, spelling, vocabulary and comprehension. —Selome Hailu, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025

This article was updated to correct the spelling of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's name. —Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

According to Fox 35, deputies mistook Vasquez for their suspect due to a one-letter difference in the spelling of their last names. —Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

Hackers often create lookalike domains that look nearly identical to real ones, adding small spelling changes or extra words. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 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