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BRITISH AND AMERICAN SPELLINGS

Words ending in -re or -er British English American English
Many British words that end with -re calibre caliber
are spelled with -er in American English.
This difference is commonly seen in centre center
the spelling of metric measurements, fibre fiber
such as metre and litre in British lustre luster
English, compared to meter and meagre meager
liter in American English.
sombre somber
spectre specter
theatre theater

Words ending in -our or -or British English American English
Words that end with -our in British English behaviour behavior
often end with -or in American English.
colour color
However, in British English, when one of
the endings -ous, -ious, -ary, -ation, -ific, flavour flavor
-ize, or -ise is added to a noun that ends humour humor
in -our, the -our is usually changed to -or.
For example, humour becomes humorous, labour labor
and glamour becomes glamorise. neighbour neighbor
rumour rumor
vigour vigor

Same spelling rebelled endurance feather
Many British and American words are
spelled the same, regardless of the rules. mediocre
In most cases, there is no reason for this
and the words just have to be learned. advertise exercise
If uncertain, check how words are spelled
in a dictionary.
fooling actor

REAL W OR L D
Webster’s Dictionary
Noah Webster (1758–1843) is frequently credited • American and British spellings are
with introducing American spelling. Webster both correct, as long as one or the
wanted to emphasize a unique American cultural other is used consistently.
identity by showing that Americans spoke a • Occasionally, American English
different language from the British. He also uses the British spelling for names,
advocated spelling words phonetically. In 1828, as in the case of the space shuttle
he published An American Dictionary of the Endeavour or Ford’s Theatre in
English Language, which forms the basis of Washington, D.C.
American spelling to this day.