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
Though the term got its footing in meme culture, some are concerned about its closeness, in spelling and use, to other racial slurs.
—
Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 June 2026
The effort, which included a spelling bee television spot teaching people how to spell her last name, succeeded.
—Eric McDaniel, NPR, 30 May 2026
Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and clarity.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
But Shrey beat both of those winners’ records with 32 correct spellings out of around 35 words.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spelling
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 June 2026
The effort, which included a spelling bee television spot teaching people how to spell her last name, succeeded.
—Eric McDaniel, NPR, 30 May 2026
Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and clarity.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
But Shrey beat both of those winners’ records with 32 correct spellings out of around 35 words.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spelling
Cite this Entry
“Spelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spelling. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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