spelt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal in British English; regional or specialized in American English.
Quick answer
What does “spelt” mean?
A past tense and past participle form of the verb 'spell', meaning to write or name the letters of a word in correct sequence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A past tense and past participle form of the verb 'spell', meaning to write or name the letters of a word in correct sequence.
Primarily used in British English as the standard past form. In American English, 'spelled' is standard, though 'spelt' is occasionally found, especially in certain contexts like agriculture (referring to a type of wheat).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'spelt' is a common, standard past form of 'spell'. In American English, 'spelled' is overwhelmingly preferred for the verb; 'spelt' is recognized but often marked as chiefly British. The noun 'spelt' (wheat) is used in both varieties.
Connotations
In the UK, 'spelt' is unmarked and neutral. In the US, using 'spelt' for the verb may sound British or old-fashioned to many ears.
Frequency
Very high frequency in UK writing and speech for the verb. Very low frequency in US general usage for the verb, but moderate for the noun (wheat).
Grammar
How to Use “spelt” in a Sentence
[Subject] spelt [Object word][Subject] spelt [Object word] [Adverbial: incorrectly][Subject] spelt it out [for someone]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spelt” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She spelt her name for the receptionist.
- He had always spelt that word incorrectly.
- The teacher spelt out the instructions very slowly.
American English
- The word is sometimes spelt with a 'z' in American texts. (Note: 'spelled' would be more common)
- I spelt it out for him, but he still didn't understand. (Idiomatic use persists)
adjective
British English
- A correctly spelt application is essential.
- The poorly spelt letter was hard to decipher.
American English
- Spelt flour is popular in health food stores. (Here it's a noun used attributively)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in formal correspondence regarding names or codes (e.g., 'Ensure the client's name is spelt correctly on the contract').
Academic
Common in linguistics and language papers (e.g., 'The archaic form was spelt with a digraph').
Everyday
Frequent in all contexts in the UK (e.g., 'How is your surname spelt?').
Technical
In agriculture, refers to Triticum spelta, an ancient grain (e.g., 'The recipe calls for spelt flour').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spelt”
- Using 'spelt' in formal American English writing (use 'spelled').
- Confusing the verb past tense with the noun for wheat.
- Over-applying the '-t' ending to other verbs in American English (e.g., 'dreamt', 'leant').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'spelt' is correct and standard as the past tense of 'spell' in British English. In American English, 'spelled' is standard.
Yes, 'spelt' is also a noun referring to an ancient species of wheat (Triticum spelta), used to make flour and bread. This usage is the same in both British and American English.
It's part of a pattern where British English often retains the irregular '-t' past participle ending (learnt, dreamt, spoilt) from older forms, while American English regularized many of these to '-ed' (learned, dreamed, spoiled).
For IELTS (British-based), 'spelt' is perfectly acceptable. For TOEFL (American-based), it's safer to use 'spelled' for the verb to avoid appearing to make an error. Consistency within your text is key.
A past tense and past participle form of the verb 'spell', meaning to write or name the letters of a word in correct sequence.
Spelt is usually neutral to formal in british english; regional or specialized in american english. in register.
Spelt: in British English it is pronounced /spɛlt/, and in American English it is pronounced /spɛlt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “spelt it out (explained clearly)”
- “spelt disaster/trouble (signaled)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I felt how it was SPELT.' Both 'felt' and 'spelt' are common UK past forms ending in '-t'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPELLING IS CONSTRUCTION (assembling letters); CORRECT SPELLING IS ALIGNMENT.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'spelt' in a way most typical for standard American English?