English · Word Candidate

spelling

/ˈspɛlɪŋ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: spellings

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The act, practice, ability, or subject of forming words with letters, or of reading the letters of words; orthography.

Noun

Examples

For the practical use of spelling comes in writing.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The manner of spelling of words; correct spelling.

Noun

Examples

Because Elizabethan spelling was fluid, editors feel free to ‘modernize’ (correct) the spelling in the quartos and the Folio. But how is one to spell Rosencratz or Guildenstern, where the spelling varies, not only from text to text, but even within texts?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “spelling” mean?

The act, practice, ability, or subject of forming words with letters, or of reading the letters of words; orthography.

Is “spelling” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.