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. Some differences are:
| Difference | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -or vs -our | In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or. | Behavior or behaviour Color or colour Favor or favour Flavor or flavour Favorite or favourite Honor or honour Humor or humour Labor or labour Neighbor or neighbour |
| In British English, these same words end in -our. | ||
| -er vs -re | In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er. | Center or centre Fiber or fibre Theater or theatre |
| In British English, these same words end in -re. | ||
| -ize vs -ise | In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize. | Analyze or analyse Organization or organisation Realize or realise Recognize or recognise |
| In British English, these words end in -yse or -ise. | ||
| -ed vs -t | In American English, most verbs are regular and form their past tense with the suffix -ed. | Burned or burnt Dreamed or dreamt Kneeled or knelt Learned or learnt Smelled or smelt Spelled or spelt Spilled or spilt |
| In British English, some of these verbs are irregular and form their past tense with the suffix -t. | ||
| Single vs double consonant | In American English, many words are spelled with a single consonant. | Buses or busses Canceled or cancelled Counselor or counsellor Focused or focussed Labeled or labelled Modeling or modelling Traveling or travelling |
| In British English, these same words are often spelled with a double consonant. | ||
| Dropping vs retaining the “e” | In American English, “e” is often dropped when forming a noun from a verb | Acknowledgment or acknowledgement Aging or ageing Judgment or judgement |
| In British English, the “e” is often retained. | ||
| Different verb and noun spellings | In American English, most words have identical verb and noun spellings. | License or licence Practice or practise |
| In British English, some words have different spellings for the verb and noun forms. | ||
| Other spelling differences | There are many other spelling differences between the two English variants. | Airplane or aeroplane Aluminum or aluminium Check or cheque Cozy or cosy Defense or defence Dependent or dependant Enrollment or enrolment Fulfil or fulfill Gray or grey Jewelry or jewellery Karat or carat Mold or mould Offense or offence Pajamas or pyjamas Program or programme Skeptical or sceptical Tire or tyre |
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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.
