Is It Labelled or Labeled? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Labelled and labeled both are correct spellings of the past tense of the verb “label,” which means “attach a label to something” or “categorize something or someone.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use:
- In British English, “labelled” with a double “l” is standard.
- In American English, “labeled” with one “l” is correct.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
I was labelled/labeled a rebel as a teenager.
Leron labelled/labeled every book on the shelf in one afternoon.
The difference in spelling is also true for similar verbs, such as cancelled or canceled, levelled or leveled, and travelled or traveled.
Labelling or labeling
The spelling difference also applies to labelling or labeling.
- In British English, “labelling” with a double “l” is correct.
- In American English, “labeling” with one “l” is standard.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
I was labelling/labeling my clothes when you rang me.
Labelling/labeling someone based on one encounter is not fair.
The difference in spelling is also true for similar verbs, such as modeling or modelling and traveling or travelling.
Main differences between American and British English
American and British English are very similar, but there are a few main differences in spelling. Five important differences are:
Difference | Rule | Examples |
---|---|---|
-or vs -our | In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or. In British English, these same words end in -our. |
Behavior or behaviour Labor or labour Favor or favour Favorite or favourite Color or colour Honor or honour |
-er vs -re | In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er. In British English, these same words end in -re. |
Theater or theatre Center or centre Meter or metre Liter or litre Saber or sabre Fiber or fibre |
-ize vs -ise | In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize. In British English, these words end in -yse or -ise. |
Realize or realise Recognize or recognise Analyze or analyse Organisation or organization Minimize or minimise Finalize or finalise |
-ed vs -t | In American English, most verbs are regular and form their past tense with the suffix -ed. In British English, some of these verbs are irregular and form their past tense with the suffix -t. |
Learned or learnt Burned or burnt Kneeled or knelt Dreamed or dreamt Smelled or smelt Spelled or spelt |
Single vs double consonant | In American English, many words are spelled with a single consonant. In British English, these same words are spelled with a double consonant. |
Modeling or modelling Traveling or travelling Canceled or cancelled Labeled or labelled Buses or busses Focused or focussed |
Frequently asked questions about labelled or labeled
- Is it labeled or labelled in Canada
-
Labelled and labeled are both correct spellings of the past tense of the verb “label.” The preferred spelling depends on the type of English.
In this instance, Canada follows the British English convention, so the word is spelled labelled (double “l”).
This difference in spelling is also true for other words, such as modelling or modeling and travelling or traveling.
- Is it labelled or labeled in Australia?
-
Labelled and labeled are both correct spellings of the past tense of the verb “label.” The preferred spelling depends on the type of English.
In Australia, they generally follow British English conventions, which means they prefer labelled (double “l”).
This difference in spelling is also true for other words, such as modelling or modeling and travelling or traveling.