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

Sundar, who advanced to the national spelling bee four times, was one of eight co-champions in 2019. —Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2025

Since 1925, children across our fair land have competed in classroom, school, and regional spelling bees, hoping to make it to the big dance, the Scripps National Spelling Bee. —Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025

Zaki also explained his more casual approach to the spelling competition. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 30 May 2025

Some have drawn parallels to how American parents have, increasingly in the past decade, chosen unusual spellings for common names – such as Ashleigh instead of Ashley, or Catelynn instead of Caitlin. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 May 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