Labeled and labelled are different spellings of the same word and action meaning, “to fix a label on something or write information on something”.
Labelled (or labelled) also has a nonliteral definition; i.e., “to describe somebody/something in a particular way, especially unfairly”.
Labelled vs. labeled (US vs. UK English)
Like a select number of English verbs, the past tense and present participle form of label has two spelling preferences based on UK or US English writing conventions:
The boxes were labelled carefully. .
The scientist labeled the specimen. .
The report was labeled incorrectly. .
The packages had been labelled with the wrong address. .
- UK English spells “labelled” and labelling with two L’s.
- US English spells “labeled” and labeling with one L.
Other verb forms of “label” follow the same pattern; i.e., the present participle, labelling/labeling.
Other verbs with different UK/US English spelling
similar to labelled and labeled, there are other words that follow the same spelling pattern between US and UK English preferences. For example, modelled and modelling are spelled with two L’s in UK English, but only use a single L in US spelling.
| UK English | US English |
| travelling, travelled | traveling, travelled |
| modelling, modelled | modeling, modeled |
| labelling, labelled | labeling, labeled |
| cancelling, cancelled | canceling, canceled |
Sentences with labelled/labeled
She had automatically labelled/labeled the boys as troublemakers.
She was falsely labelled/labeled a liar.
Make sure that your luggage is clearly labelled/labeled.
The file was labelled/labeled ‘Private’.
Every box needs to be labelled/labeled before it goes into storage.
Sentences with labeled (and labelled) in the media
Scribbled in a strange, unfamiliar language and a strange, unfamiliar script, the text’s linguistic system is sometimes labeled as Voynichese.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
West African food has been labeled the next trend by media for years, and fast-casual innovations like ChopnBlok in Houston or Spice Kitchen in Brentwood, Md., have only accelerated that notion.
—Gabe Hiatt, Washington Post, 23 Jan. 2024
Wines will be labeled with only the name of the cru, not the surrounding village.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024
I manoeuvred my way among the tables to the back corner of the place, where I found a door labelled `Men”.
—Tapply, William G. A Rodent of Doubt (2002)
They brought flowers and a bottle of Bollinger in ice, the bucket being a bag labelled ` Laundry ‘.
—Anita Anderson, Somedody (2002)
Hollywood is like a really sad, grown up version of high school where people get labelled as ‘cool,’ ‘not cool,’ ‘jock,’ ‘bombshell,’ ‘quirky’… it’s like a caste system. You’re either in, or you’re out.
“labeled” (US) and “labelled” (UK), visualize boxes: “labelled” (UK) has two L’s like double-checked boxes.
Synonyms of label
As in, to describe or categorize with a term or word:
- tag
- identify
- mark
- categorized
- defined
- designated
- tagged
- characterized
- classified
- ticketed
Phrases with label
- white label
- off-label
- own-label
- designer label
- care label
Origin of the word label
From etymonline on label:
c. 1300, “narrow band or strip of cloth” (oldest use is as a technical term in heraldry), from Old French label, lambel, labeau “ribbon, fringe worn on clothes”.
Learn more about US English vs. UK English
| Commonly misused words | UK English vs. US English |
|---|---|
| former vs. latter | burned or burnt? |
| bear with vs. bare with | color or colour? |
| breathe or breath | favorite vs. favourite |
| compliment vs. complement | smelled or smelt? |
| effect vs. affect | gray or grey? |
| elude or allude | favor vs. favour |
| it’s or its | analyze or analyse? |
Sources
- Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of label.” Online Etymology Dictionary, Accessed 18 February, 2024.
- Wikipedia contributors. “Zoë Kravitz.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 18 Feb. 2024. Web. 18 Feb. 2024.
Work Sheet
According to the post, what is the standard spelling for the past tense of ‘label’ in US English?
The difference in spelling between ‘labeled’ and ‘labelled’ is primarily based on:
In UK English, the present participle form of ‘label’ is spelled:
Which of the following words follows the same UK English spelling pattern as ‘labelled’ and ‘labelling’?
In US English, which spelling uses a single ‘l’?
Make sure that your luggage is clearly _______ (using UK spelling).
The text’s linguistic system is sometimes _______ as Voynichese (using US spelling).
She was falsely _______ a liar (using US spelling).
The boxes were _______ carefully (using UK spelling).
The file was _______ ‘Private’ (using US spelling).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are labeled and labelled different words?
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Which spelling is correct, labeled or labelled?
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Is labelling or labeling correct?
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Do other words follow this spelling rule?
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What does ‘label’ mean in general?
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Yash, D. "Is the Correct Spelling Labeled or Labelled?." Grammarflex, Jun 13, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/is-the-correct-spelling-labeled-or-labelled/.
