What does misspelled mean?
Misspelled means written or spelled incorrectly, usually because one or more letters have been omitted, added, substituted, or confused. It is used for words, names, titles, and other written items, and it is common in both British and American English. The word is the past participle and adjectival form of misspell, as in “I misspelled your name” and “a misspelled label.” Its meaning focuses specifically on spelling rather than writing in general: a text may be misspelled even when the words are otherwise clear and grammatically correct. The related noun misspelling refers to the error itself, while misspell is the verb for making the mistake. In formal editing, proofreading, publishing, education, and online communication, misspelled is a familiar and useful term for identifying and correcting errors in written language.
Containing an error in the spelling of a word, name, or other written item.
"The publisher corrected several misspelled names in the index."
This is the most common use of the word and is standard in British and American English.
Past tense and past participle of misspell: to spell a word or name incorrectly.
"She misspelled the town's name on the application form."
Misspelled is the standard past-tense form in both British and American English; misspelt is a common British variant.
A misspelled word can be understood, but correcting it shows care and respect for the writer's intended meaning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of misspelled
Misspelled combines the prefix miss-, meaning “fail to” or “get wrong,” with spelled, the past participle of spell. The verb misspell developed in English from the older word spell, which comes from Old English spelian, meaning “to tell, speak, or explain.” The prefix and the spelling element have long been used in English to indicate failure or incorrect performance, as in mismatch and misspell. The form misspelt also exists as a traditional British variant.
Related word forms
How misspelled is actually used
Misspelled is standard in British and American English. It usually describes a word or name that contains an orthographic error; it is less commonly used for spelling errors in handwriting or typography, which may instead be called misspellings.
Easily confused with misspelled
Misspelt is an alternative past-tense and past-participle form of misspell, especially common in British English, while misspelled is the standard form in both British and American English.