US and UK English
cancelled vs canceled
Regional usage, spelling, and examples
Canceled with one L is preferred in American English. Cancelled with two Ls is preferred in British English and many other English varieties. They mean and sound the same.
Regional decision guide
Match the spelling to your audience
Neither spelling changes the meaning or pronunciation. Choose one regional convention and use it consistently within a document.
United States
canceled / canceling
American English
Canceled and canceling are the usual edited spellings, although cancelled also appears and is understood.
The airline canceled the flight.
United Kingdom and many Commonwealth varieties
cancelled / cancelling
British English
Cancelled and cancelling normally double the L before the vowel suffix.
The airline cancelled the flight.
All major varieties
cancellation
Shared exception
Cancellation normally has two Ls in both American and British English.
We received a cancellation notice.
Direct answer
What is the difference?
Both are correct past-tense and past-participle forms of cancel. American spelling usually does not double the final L before -ed or -ing because the last syllable of cancel is unstressed; British spelling usually doubles it. American English still writes cancellation with two Ls, an important exception to remember.
Optional listening · American English
Hear the shared pronunciation
These terms share a standard pronunciation. Use the recordings to learn the sound, then use meaning and context to choose the spelling.
Word 1
cancelled
verb form, British spelling
Called off, stopped, or made no longer valid; the usual UK spelling.
US pronunciation
/ˈkænsəld/
UK IPA
/ˈkænsəld/
Hear two natural voices
Word 2
canceled
verb form, American spelling
Called off, stopped, or made no longer valid; the usual US spelling.
US pronunciation
/ˈkænsəld/
UK IPA
/ˈkænsəld/
Hear two natural voices
Listen in context
6 example sentences
Context makes meaning, grammar, and natural rhythm easier to understand. Every sentence has its own playback.
Examples with
cancelled
- The concert was cancelled because of heavy rain.
- She cancelled her appointment by email.
- All cancelled tickets will be refunded.
Examples with
canceled
- The concert was canceled because of heavy rain.
- He canceled the transfer before it was processed.
- The app displays all canceled reservations.