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

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto's name. —Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

Nineteenth-century reporters could be extremely casual with facts and guessed at the spelling of names. —Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025

An operating agreement isn’t required, but experts recommend one spelling property management and accounting, compensation, usage, owners and how shares may change hands if someone wants out. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

It's also recommended to teach your children essential information like full name spellings, birthdates, addresses and any instructions on what to do in case of an emergency, according to the organization's safety plan checklist. —Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 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