spelling

1 of 2

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

spelling

2 of 2

present participle of spell entry 1, spell entry 3, spell entry 5

Examples of spelling in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

Correction This story has been updated to correct the spellings of Jeremiah Floyd and Elijah Redmond. — Chip Saye, AJC.com, 26 Sep. 2026

The spelling and pronunciation change follows decades of colonial rule and reflects a broader global history of nations renaming themselves to reject foreign labels or strengthen national unity. — Ted Anthony, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Ettore is named after Italian-American chef Ettore Boiardi, who used the Americanized phonetic spelling of his last name to create the Chef Boyardee empire. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026

Oxford and Ole Miss rolled out the unwelcome mat early in the week, starting Wednesday with a Lane Kiffen (incorrect spelling intentional) Roast at the Lyric Theater. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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