Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Spelling

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English spelling comparison chart

This table gives the accepted spellings (following government guidelines and major dictionaries). It is by no means exhaustive, but rather an overview. When two variants appear, the one listed first is more widely used. In some cases two variants are commonly used, but the spelling listed first is the one more widely used. For example, in the Commonwealth, with the exception of Canada, the suffix -ise is the preferred variant over -ize.

The spelling systems of unlisted Commonwealth countries, such as India, Pakistan and Singapore, are generally close to the British spelling system, with possibly a few local differences. A few English-speaking countries, such as the Philippines or Liberia, have spelling systems closer to American spelling.

Australia^[1]	New Zealand^[2]	Canada^[3]	South Africa^[4]	UK & Ireland^[5]	United States^[6]	Commonwealth^{[citation needed]}^[7]
ageing, aging	ageing, aging	aging, ageing	ageing, aging	ageing, aging	aging, ageing	ageing, aging
aluminium	aluminium	aluminum	aluminium	aluminium	aluminum	aluminium
analyse	analyse	analyze, analyse	analyse	analyse	analyze	analyse
centre	centre	centre, center	centre	centre	center	centre
colour	colour	colour, color	colour	colour	color	colour
defence	defence	defence, defense	defence	defence	defense	defence
dialogue	dialogue	dialogue	dialogue	dialogue	dialogue, dialog	dialogue
grey	grey	grey, gray	grey	grey	gray	grey
fiord, fjord	fiord	fjord, fiord	fjord, fiord	fiord, fjord	fjord	fjord
fulfil	fulfil	fulfill, fulfil	fulfil	fulfil	fulfill, fulfil	fulfil
install	install	install, instal	install	install, instal	install	instal, install
instalment	instalment	instalment, installment	instalment	instalment	installment	instalment, installment
judgment, judgement	judgment, judgement	judgment, judgement	judgement, judgment	judgement, judgment	judgment, judgement	judgement, judgment
kerb	kerb	curb	kerb	kerb	curb	kerb
labour^[8]	labour	labour, labor	labour	labour	labor	labour
licence (n.), license (v.)	licence (n.), license (v.)	licence (n.), license, licence (v.)	licence (n.), license (v.)	licence (n.), license (v.)	license, licence (n.) license (v.)	licence (n.), license (v.)
manoeuvre	manoeuvre	manoeuvre, maneuver, manoeuver	manoeuvre	manoeuvre	maneuver	manoeuvre
organisation	organisation	organization	organisation	organisation, organization	organization	organisation, organization
practice (n.), practise (v.)	practice (n.), practise (v.)	practice, practise (n.), practise, practice (v.)	practice (n.), practise (v.)	practice (n.), practise (v.)	practice (n. & v.)	practice (n.), practise (v.)
computer program, training program(me)	computer program, training programme	program, programme	computer program, training programme	computer program, training programme	computer program, training program	computer program, training programme
sceptic	sceptic	sceptic, skeptic	sceptic	sceptic	skeptic	sceptic
theatre	theatre	theatre, theater	theatre	theatre	theater, theatre	theatre
travelling	travelling	travelling	travelling	travelling	traveling, travelling	travelling
tyre	tyre	tire	tyre	tyre	tire	tyre
vice (fault)	vice (fault)	vice (fault)	vice (fault)	vice (fault)	vice (fault)	vice (fault)
vice (tool)	vice (tool)	vise (tool)	vice (tool)	vice (tool)	vise (tool)	vice (tool)
yoghurt	yoghurt	yogourt, yogurt, yoghourt	yoghurt	yoghurt, yogurt, yoghourt	yogurt	yoghurt

Notes

^ Australian spellings: The Macquarie Pocket Dictionary, Third Edition (1998). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-701633-57-3
^ New Zealand spellings: The New Zealand Oxford Paperback Dictionary (1998). Melbourne, Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand. ISBN 0195584104
^ Canadian spellings: The Canadian Oxford Dictionary, Second Edition (2004). Toronto, Oxford University Press Canada. ISBN 0-19-541816-6. P. xiii: "the main headword represents the most common form in Canadian usage".
^ Southern African spellings: South African Concise Oxford Dictionary (2002). Cape Town, Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd. ISBN 0195718046.
^ British and Irish spellings: The Chambers Dictionary, Ninth Edition (2003). Edinburgh, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-550-10013-X. Suffixes with -ise or -isation prevail over suffixes with -ize or -ization in current British and Irish usage, although the -ize forms are usually preferred by dictionaries and some publications; see below.
^ American spellings: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (2003). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc. ISBN 0-87779-809-5.
^ General Commonwealth spelling, for countries such as India, Pakistan and Singapore.
^ Except in the name Australian Labor Party.

Different spellings – different meanings

There are several words that change their meaning when spelt differently.

programme – program: In British English, the spelling program can be used for computer program. In all other cases programme is invariably used.

theatre – theater: In American English, theatre is commonly used among theatre professionals. Theatre tends to refer to the art, theater to the building. The spelling theatre is also used in names like Kodak Theatre and AMC Theatres

disc – disk: In Commonwealth English, the usual spelling is disc (meaning: thin flat circular object), but in computing disk is usually used, as in Hard disk, when referring to magnetic disks. In case of optical discs, such as "compact disc", the other spelling is used.

Judgement – Judgment: In Australian Law a Judge's decision in a case is always spelt Judgment. On the other hand, the forming of opinion or conclusion by an ordinary person, is usually spelt judgement.

Inquiry – Enquiry: In Commonwealth English, an enquiry is a request for information, but an inquiry is a formal investigation.

International organizations

There are three major English spelling standards used by international organizations and publishers:

British English with -ise

Spellings: centre, programme, labour, defence, organisation, recognise, analyse
Language tag en-GB, this standard is used and recommended by the UK government.

Examples of organizations adhering to this standard: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), European Union (EU), Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Commonwealth Secretariat (Commonwealth of Nations), African Union (AU), Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), International Olympic Committee (IOC), Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Transparency International, Greenpeace.

Major publications: The Economist, The Times, Financial Times, New Scientist, The Lancet

British English with -ize (Oxford spelling)

Spellings: centre, programme, labour, defence, organization, recognize, but: analyse
Language tag (a code identifying the language used): en-GB-oed, this standard is based on the Oxford English Dictionary.

Examples of organizations adhering to this standard: United Nations Organization (UN, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, etc.), World Trade Organization (WTO), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Amnesty International, World Economic Forum

Major Publications: Nature, Times Literary Supplement, Encyclopædia Britannica

American English

Spellings: center, program, labor, defense, organization, recognize, analyze
Language tag en-US, this standard is used by the U.S. government.

Examples of organizations adhering to this standard: International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Organization of American States (OAS), NAFTA Secretariat.

Major publications: International Herald Tribune, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Newsweek, Science, Scientific American

Preferred variants

In both British English and American English, many words have variant spellings, but most of the time one variant is preferred over the other. In dictionaries, the preferred spelling is listed first among the headwords of an entry. (Note: British variants can also refer to most Commonwealth variants.) Examples follow:

acknowledgement vs acknowledgment: acknowledgement is preferred in British English, acknowledgment in American English.
judgement vs judgment: judgement is preferred in British English, judgment in American English.
per cent vs percent: per cent is preferred in British English, percent in American English.
dialogue vs dialog: In a non-technical context, the spelling dialogue is preferred in American English. In Webster's dictionary, dialogue is given first.
catalogue vs catalog: Interestingly, Webster's treats this case differently — catalog is the preferred spelling in American English.
glamour vs glamor: The spelling glamour is preferred in both British and American English.
neuron vs neurone: The spelling neuron is preferred in both British and American English.
foetus vs fetus: In American English, foetus is usually not used. In British English usage is divided. In academic literature, fetus is preferred, in newspapers and general non-scientific use foetus.

Archaic variants:

gaol: the usual modern spelling is jail
gramme: the usual modern spelling is gram
masque: modern spelling is mask
connexion: this word is usually spelled connection.

[1] Australian spellings: The Macquarie Pocket Dictionary, Third Edition (1998). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-701633-57-3

[2] New Zealand spellings: The New Zealand Oxford Paperback Dictionary (1998). Melbourne, Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand. ISBN 0195584104

[3] Canadian spellings: The Canadian Oxford Dictionary, Second Edition (2004). Toronto, Oxford University Press Canada. ISBN 0-19-541816-6. P. xiii: "the main headword represents the most common form in Canadian usage".

[4] Southern African spellings: South African Concise Oxford Dictionary (2002). Cape Town, Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd. ISBN 0195718046.

[5] British and Irish spellings: The Chambers Dictionary, Ninth Edition (2003). Edinburgh, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-550-10013-X. Suffixes with -ise or -isation prevail over suffixes with -ize or -ization in current British and Irish usage, although the -ize forms are usually preferred by dictionaries and some publications; see below.

[6] American spellings: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (2003). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc. ISBN 0-87779-809-5.

[7] General Commonwealth spelling, for countries such as India, Pakistan and Singapore.

[8] Except in the name Australian Labor Party.

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