spelt

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "spelt" is correct and usable in written English.
"Spelt" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "spell," which means to write or say the letters that form a word in the correct order. Example sentence: I spelt my name correctly on the form.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Imagine how much better this perky dance number would have sold if its absurdly spelt title hadn't made it almost impossible to search for on iTunes.

The Guardian - Music

Or, if you prefer, Goopville, named after the Gwyneth Paltrow site that helped to popularise the notion that if your child enjoyed anything more wicked than a spelt muffin then you weren't taking your parenting duties seriously.

The Guardian - Opinion

This week, the Security Council spelt out that the oil could indeed be sold when the weapons were gone, and could not be remade in the future; America is also said to have privately reassured Unscom on this point.

The Economist

Friendly Russian tycoons and banks were said to have been pressed into service.Foreign investors were deterred by the litigation risks (not over yet), the dangers of political interference that the prospectus spelt out (the interests of the state, it said, "may not coincide with those of other shareholders") and the inexperience of Rosneft's management.

The Economist

When Cook brought Mayberry into the studio to record a few guide vocals, they muted their own voices and Chvrches (so spelt to make the band more Googleable) were born.

The Guardian - Music

Wycliffe, whose name was also spelt Wyclif, Wycliff, Wiclef, Wicliffe, Wickliffe (though disappointingly, it seems, never Wyclef), was born in Yorkshire around 1330, and first pops up in Oxford in 1345; by 1360 he was master of Balliol.

The Guardian

According to this article his name was spelt wrongly at the time of his registration and the authorities didn't bother to question it.

The Guardian - Sport

There was lots more homegrown food at dinner – pearled spelt with wild garlic pesto was a revelation – plus three local wines to wash it all down.

The Guardian - Travel

(Although some people with gluten sensitivities say they find ancient wheat varieties such as khorasan or spelt more digestible than modern wheat, these grains do contain gluten and are not appropriate for people with coeliac disease).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The winner at Newmarket was, of course, Gleneagles, whose name is spelt correctly.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Correction: An earlier version of this article mis-spelt Colombia as "Columbia".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for an international audience, be mindful of the spelling differences between British English ("spelt") and American English ("spelled"). Choose the spelling that aligns with your target audience.

Common error

Avoid confusing "spelt" (past tense of "spell") with "spilled" (past tense of "spill"). While they sound similar, their meanings are entirely different. "Spelt" refers to spelling something out, while "spilled" refers to liquid accidentally pouring out.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spelt" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "spell". It describes the act of forming a word with letters in the correct sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, "spelt" is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spelt" functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb "spell", primarily used in British English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. While "spelled" serves as its American English counterpart, choosing "spelt" or "spelled" hinges on audience and regional writing conventions. Common usage involves describing how something was spelled or indicating that something was clearly and explicitly articulated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spelled

Alternative spelling, primarily used in American English.

expressed

Indicates conveying something clearly or explicitly.

articulated

Implies expressing something in a clear and coherent manner.

laid out

Suggests presenting information in a structured or detailed way.

detailed

Emphasizes providing thorough and comprehensive information.

specified

Focuses on stating something precisely and explicitly.

described

Indicates giving an account of something with details.

clarified

Implies making something clear and easy to understand.

explained

Indicates providing reasons or causes to make something understandable.

delineated

Suggests marking the outline or boundary of something clearly.

FAQs

Is "spelt" the correct past tense of "spell"?

Yes, "spelt" is a correct past tense and past participle of "spell", primarily used in British English. In American English, "spelled" is more common.

When should I use "spelt" versus "spelled"?

Use "spelt" if you are writing in British English. If you are writing in American English, use "spelled". Consider your target audience to choose the most appropriate spelling.

What does it mean when something is "spelt out"?

When something is "spelt out", it means it has been explained clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion.

What are some alternative ways to say something is "spelt" incorrectly?

You could say it is "misspelled", "incorrectly written", or "with incorrect spelling".