US and UK English
spelled vs spelt
Regional usage, spelling, and examples
Spelled is standard in all English varieties and strongly preferred in American English. Spelt is also a standard past form in British English and separately names a grain.
Regional decision guide
Choose by region and meaning
Both verb forms are correct, but the final consonant and the grain sense make the distinction audible and useful.
United States
spelled
American verb form
Use spelled for both the simple past and past participle.
She spelled the name correctly.
United Kingdom
spelled or spelt
British verb forms
Both forms are standard; spelt is common, while spelled is also natural and widely understood.
The word can be spelt in two ways.
All varieties
spelt
The grain
The cereal grain is always spelt, never spelled.
The bakery sells spelt bread.
Direct answer
What is the difference?
For the past tense and past participle of spell, American English normally uses spelled. British English uses both spelled and spelt, with style and speaker preference affecting the choice. Spelt is always the spelling of the ancient wheat grain, so “spelled bread” would have a different and usually unintended meaning.
Optional listening · American English
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Word 1
spelled
past verb form
The standard past tense and past participle of spell in all varieties.
US pronunciation
/spɛld/
UK IPA
/speld/
Hear two natural voices
Word 2
spelt
past verb form or noun
A chiefly British past form of spell; also a type of ancient wheat.
US pronunciation
/spɛlt/
UK IPA
/spelt/
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
spelled
- You spelled my surname correctly.
- The street name is spelled with two Ls.
- She had spelled every word before time ran out.
Examples with
spelt
- The surname can be spelt with or without a hyphen.
- He spelt the difficult word correctly.
- This loaf is made with whole-grain spelt.
Related search questions
Common follow-up questions
- Is it spell vs spelt or spelled vs spelt?
- Spell is the base verb. Spelled and spelt are past forms; spelled is preferred in US English, while both are standard in UK English.
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