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

Snigdha Nandipati of Francis Parker School won the national spelling bee in 2012, and in 2005, Poway student Anurag Kashyap won. —Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026

The story has been updated to correct the spelling of Newburgh in the dateline. —ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026

The spelling kids arrive with various expectations, outfits and modes of transportation, along with backstories that provide the heartbeat of what makes the piece such a joy. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026

The restaurant is the namesake of Balisciano – Vincent, Vincenzo or Cenzo, the later his Aunt Heather’s name for him, with a unique spelling. —Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 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