Canceled or cancelled: How do you spell it?

The difference between “canceled” and “cancelled”

Although spelled differently, the words “canceled” and “cancelled” mean the exact same thing. Both versions are the past tense of the verb “cancel,” which means to decide that something will no longer take place. These versions are technically grammatically correct; it just depends on your region. You’re not likely to see the spelling “canceled” outside of the United States. The double “l” version of the word is British English and is often used in the United Kingdom and Canada, while American English uses the single “l.” The rule remains for most other versions of the word “cancel,” such as “canceling”; British English spells it ”cancelling.”

British vs. American English

The difference in spelling doesn’t affect the meaning or usage of the word. Like many other words, cancel is a good example of how American English simplifies British English, typically by removing letters that don’t affect the word’s sound. Words like “behavior” or “color” are spelled with an additional letter in British English as “behaviour” and “colour.” If you have trouble remembering which version of a word is correct in American English, opt for the simplest or shortest form.

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Sometimes, the difference between British and American English goes beyond a simple letter or two. In American English, always write words like “recognize” or “apologize” with a “z.” In British English, people are likely to use an “s” instead and write it as “recognise” and “apologise.”

What about “cancellation”?

The word “cancellation” is always spelled with a double “l” in the English language. While the other forms of the word remain verbs, “cancellation” is a noun that includes additional syllables. The two l’s in this form create a bridge between the original word and the new syllables.

How to use “canceled” in a sentence

Always use ”canceled” as the past tense of the verb “cancel” in American English. These sentences show how to use the word correctly:

• Amelia’s favorite television show was canceled after the first season.
• The teacher canceled the field trip because of the weather forecast.
• After his flight home was canceled, he decided to rent a car instead.

After reading this guide on a commonly confused word, you should know whether to use “canceled” or “cancelled.” If you’re still unsure what to use in your writing, double-check your sentences with easy-to-use grammar tools like Microsoft Editor.