What this tool checks
This tool answers one question: is this spelling in a standard English word list? It uses SCOWL, the Spell Checker Oriented Word Lists compiled by Kevin Atkinson, packaged as Hunspell dictionaries for American, British, Australian and Canadian English. Hunspell is the same kind of engine that powers spell checking in many browsers and office tools.
How to read the result
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Tick | The word is in the word list for the variety you chose |
| Cross | The word is not in the list. It may be a typo, a name, a very new or rare word, or a spelling from another variety |
| Suggestions | Up to five likely spellings from the same list |
A cross is not proof that a word does not exist. English has no official academy that decides which words are real. Dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary record usage, and their coverage goes well beyond a spelling list.
US vs UK spellings
The most common cause of a cross is a spelling from a different variety. If you write for a British university, choose British English. For a US journal, choose American. For a list of common pairs, see British vs American spelling and our commonly confused words.
Definitions
When you look a word up, the tool fetches a short extract from English Wiktionary and links to the full entry. Wiktionary is community-written, so treat definitions as a quick guide and consult a dictionary like Merriam-Webster or Oxford for formal work.
Dictionary check or spell check?
This page looks up individual words. To check a whole paragraph, with context, repeated words and mechanical rules, use the Spell Checker. For meaning and style in a full sentence, use the Grammar Checker.
Limits
The lookup only covers the supplied word lists and the verified list of common mistakes. It does not understand context, so it cannot tell you that "their" is wrong where "there" is needed. Names, brands, technical terms and new words often show a cross. Up to 20 distinct words are checked per run.