noun
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the act or process of writing words by using the letters conventionally accepted for their formation; orthography
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the art or study of orthography
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the actual way in which a word is spelt
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the ability of a person to spell
John's spelling is good
Etymology
Origin of spelling
Vocabulary lists containing spelling
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Research Report
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Selecting and Evaluating Sources and Research Report
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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.
In a sign that backchannel efforts were ongoing, the Fars news agency said Iran had passed "written messages" to the Americans via Pakistan spelling out red lines, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.
From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026
The New York Times analysis relies heavily on textual analysis of old emails and posts, and in particular incorrect hyphen usage and British spelling.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026
It's the start of FA Cup quarter-final week at Port Vale and manager Jon Brady is spelling out some home truths to his players after another demoralising defeat.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
A lot of them had excelled in school: We talked to a boy that had just won a spelling bee, for example.
From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026
“I don’t know that ‘predicament’ is on any specific spelling list, Ida.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
