What does misspelt mean?
To misspell is to write a word incorrectly by omitting, adding, or substituting one or more letters. The form “misspelt” is especially associated with British English, while “misspelled” is standard in American English and is also widely accepted in Britain. The word is used for genuine errors in orthography, but it can also cover mistakes involving spaces, hyphens, and capitalization when those are treated as part of correct spelling. For example, a name may be misspelt on an envelope, or a common word may be misspelt throughout a document. The term is usually neutral and factual, although it may imply carelessness when used about repeated errors. Its close connection to written language makes it especially useful when proofreading, teaching spelling, discussing language conventions, or distinguishing regional forms of standard English.
verbTo spell a word incorrectly, especially by omitting, adding, or substituting a letter. The form is especially associated with British English; American English normally uses “misspelled” for the corresponding past tense and past participle.
- To write or represent a word with incorrect spelling.
"She misspelt the professor's name on the envelope."
"Many people misspell her surname, which contains two consecutive l's."
"The publication was careful never to misspell the historical title."
One small letter stands between a familiar misspelling and a fully standard one: British readers are likely to see “misspelt,” while American readers usually see “misspelled.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of misspelt
The word combines the prefix “mis-,” meaning wrongly or incorrectly, with the spelling-related verb “spell,” in the same manner as “misspelled.” The form without the second l in “misspelt” is especially associated with British English, whereas “misspelled” is the standard form in American English.
Related word forms
How misspelt is actually used
“Misspelt” is a chiefly British form and should not normally be used to describe a person, as in “you misspelt”; the person made a spelling error. The standard past tense and past participle in American English is “misspelled.”
Easily confused with misspelt
Both forms have the same meaning, but “misspelled” is the standard form in American English and is also widely accepted in British English, whereas “misspelt” is chiefly a British variant.