Confusing words explained
“labelled” vs “labeled” — What’s the Difference?
Labeled (one l) is American; labelled is British.
Key takeaway
Quick Difference: labelled vs labeled
Labeled (one l) is American; labelled is British.
labelled vs labeled Side-by-Side Comparison
Meaning of labelled
Marked with identification
The British spelling of the past tense of label, meaning to mark something with a name, sticker, or tag.
Remember this double-l pattern for verbs ending in vowel plus l.
- The bottle was labelled Poison.
- She labelled each file with date.
Meaning of labeled
Attached a label; classified or categorized something with a name.
Attached a label to something; put a name or description on something.
Use American spelling 'labeled' in American English contexts.
- I labeled the boxes.
- The scientist labeled each sample with a number.
Usage Notes & Nuance
labelled: British doubles the l before adding -ed; American uses labeled.
How to Remember the Difference
British English doubles the L; American English keeps just one.
Common Mistakes with labelled and labeled
Mistake with labelled
Correct: Use labelled with double l
Mistake with labelled
Correct: Double l before -ed in British
Mistake with labeled
Correct: In American English, use 'labeled' with one l.
Mistake with labeled
Correct: American: 'labeled' (with e); British: 'labelled'.
Practice Quiz: labelled or labeled?
Choose the word that best completes each real example sentence.
Question 1
The bottle was _____ Poison.
Question 2
She _____ each file with date.
Question 3
Products were clearly _____ in shop.
Pick at least one answer, then press Check answers to see how you did.
You scored 0 out of 3
Frequently Asked Questions About labelled vs labeled
What’s the difference between “labelled” and “labeled”?
Labeled (one l) is American; labelled is British.
When should I use “labelled”?
Remember this double-l pattern for verbs ending in vowel plus l.
When should I use “labeled”?
Use American spelling 'labeled' in American English contexts.
How can I remember labelled vs labeled?
British English doubles the L; American English keeps just one.
Is it “labelled” or “labeled” in example sentences?
Use the quiz above to test the pair with real example sentences from the available word data.