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Synonyms

spelling

American  
[spel-ing] / ˈspɛl ɪŋ /

noun

spellings plural
  1. the manner in which words are spelled; orthography.

  2. a group of letters representing a word.

  3. the act of a speller.


spelling British  
/ ˈspɛlɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act or process of writing words by using the letters conventionally accepted for their formation; orthography

  2. the art or study of orthography

  3. the actual way in which a word is spelt

  4. the ability of a person to spell

    John's spelling is good

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of spelling

1400–50; late Middle English (gerund); see spell 1, -ing 1

Vocabulary lists containing spelling

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Elementary school children take diagnostic tests for phonics and spelling at the start of camp and again toward the end.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

The two sides still have to finalize agreements spelling out the services that will be provided at each venue by July 2027.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2026

The building features giant stone letters on the top spelling out part of a speech that Obama gave in 2015 in Selma, Alabama, the cradle of the civil rights movement.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Try our spelling bee below to see how you stack up.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

But when he got home, he didn’t ask about my spelling test.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

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