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Modeling or modelling?

“Modeling” vs. “Modelling”

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Dalia Y

BA, MA, Phil. Grammarflex's initial initiator and contributor.

The word model can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it can refer to “a type or design of clothing”, or “a type or design of product (such as a car)”. As a verb, model refers to the activity of “creating a copy or description of an activity, a situation, etc. so that you can study it before dealing with the real thing”.

Is it spelled modeling or modelling?

The simple answer is that “modeling and “modelling” are both correct spellings and mean the same thing. The difference is based on UK English and US English preferences:

👍🏼Usage Note
✓
The engineer spent hours modeling the new engine.
✓
The architect is modelling the proposed skyscraper.
✗
The artist was modelng the clay figure with great care.
✗
He decided to become a professional modellor after graduating.

  • British English spells “modelling” with the double “L”.
  • American English spells “modeling” with one “L”.

The same goes with other verb forms of “model” in the past tense i.e., modeled and modelled; or as a noun, modeler and modeller.

Other words with the same spelling pattern

UK English US English
travelling, travelled traveling, travelled
modelling, modelled modeling, modeled
labelling, labelled labeling, labeled

Word forms of model

Other verb/noun forms also conform to the same spelling rules based on US/UK English:

verb model, models, modelled (or modeled), modelling (or modeling)
noun model, modeller (or modeler)
Other forms of “model”.

Sentences with modeling/modelling (present participle)

Brad and Cindy are modelling/modeling chunky knitwear on the beach.

Ralph’s been modelling/modeling since he was 16.

Have you ever thought of modelling/modeling as a career?

She got a job modelling/modeling shoes for a catalog company.

They’re modelling/modeling this year’s new spring fashions.

Sentences with modeled/modelled (past tense)

This finite set of data can be modelled/modeled by a growth curve.

The faces of the gods were modelled/modeled in white stone.

The wedding gown is being modelled/modeled for us by the designer’s daughter.

💡Study Tip

“modeling” vs. “modelling,” associate the single ‘L’ in “modeling” with the simpler US English spelling, and the double ‘L’ in “modelling” with the UK’s preference for more letters.

Synonyms of model

  • reproduction
  • imitation
  • clone
  • miniature
  • copy
  • replica
  • duplicate
  • pygmy (of a size that is less than average)

Phrases with model

  • role model

Origin of the word model

Etymonline on model:

1570s, “likeness made to scale; architect’s set of designs,” from French modelle (16c., Modern French modèle), from Italian modello “a model, mold,” from Vulgar Latin *modellus, from Latin modulus “a small measure, standard,” diminutive of modus “manner, measure”.

—Etymonline, model.

Learn more about US English vs. UK English

Sources

  1. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of model.” Online Etymology Dictionary, Accessed 12 February, 2024.
  2. “Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

Work Sheet

Question 1 of 10

According to the post, what is the main difference between “modeling” and “modelling”?



Which spelling of the present participle is generally preferred in US English?



Which spelling of the present participle is generally preferred in UK English?



Besides the present participle (“modeling/modelling”), which other word form of “model” follows the same US/UK spelling pattern mentioned in the post?



The post highlights “modelng” as an incorrect spelling of the present participle. What common mistake does this exemplify?



The architect is _________ the proposed skyscraper. (Use the UK spelling)



The engineer spent hours _________ the new engine. (Use the US spelling)



In British English, forms like “modelling” and “modelled” typically use a ________ ‘L’ before the ending.



In American English, forms like “modeling” and “modeled” typically use a ________ ‘L’ before the ending.



The past tense of “model” can be spelled modelled (UK) or ________ (US).





Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference: modeling vs. modelling?
+

Both “modeling” and “modelling” are correct spellings. The difference depends on whether you use US English (modeling) or UK English (modelling) conventions. They mean the same thing.

Which spelling is used in the US?
+

In US English, the spelling with a single ‘L’ is preferred: “modeling”. For example, the post states, “The engineer spent hours modeling the new engine” uses US spelling.

Which spelling is used in the UK?
+

UK English prefers the spelling with a double ‘L’: “modelling”. The post provides the example: “The architect is modelling the proposed skyscraper” uses UK spelling.

Does this rule apply to other forms?
+

Yes, this spelling difference applies to other forms of the verb “model”. For example, the past tense can be “modeled” (US) or “modelled” (UK), and the noun is “modeler” (US) or “modeller” (UK).

What are common spelling errors?
+

Common errors include omitting the ‘i’ as in “modelng”. The noun form uses ‘e’ before ‘r’, so “modellor” is incorrect; it should be “modeler” (US) or “modeller” (UK).

Yash, D. "“Modeling” vs. “Modelling”." Grammarflex, Jun 20, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/modeling-vs-modelling/.

Sources

  1. 👍🏼Usage Note
  2. The engineer spent hours modeling the new engine.
  3. The architect is modelling the proposed skyscraper.
  4. The artist was modelng the clay figure with great care.
  5. He decided to become a professional modellor after graduating.
  6. British English spells “modelling” with the double “L”.
  7. American English spells “modeling” with one “L”.
  8. The same goes with other verb forms of “model” in the past tense i.e., modeled and modelled; or as a noun, modeler and modeller.
  9. Other words with the same spelling pattern
  10. travelling, travelled
  11. traveling, travelled
  12. modelling, modelled
  13. modeling, modeled
  14. labelling, labelled
  15. labeling, labeled
  16. Word forms of model
  17. Other verb/noun forms also conform to the same spelling rules based on US/UK English:
  18. model, models, modelled (or modeled), modelling (or modeling)
  19. model, modeller (or modeler)
  20. Other forms of “model”.
  21. Sentences with modeling/modelling (present participle)
  22. Brad and Cindy are modelling/modeling chunky knitwear on the beach.
  23. Ralph’s been modelling/modeling since he was 16.
  24. Have you ever thought of modelling/modeling as a career?
  25. She got a job modelling/modeling shoes for a catalog company.
  26. They’re modelling/modeling this year’s new spring fashions.
  27. Sentences with modeled/modelled (past tense)
  28. This finite set of data can be modelled/modeled by a growth curve.
  29. The faces of the gods were modelled/modeled in white stone.
  30. The wedding gown is being modelled/modeled for us by the designer’s daughter.
  31. 💡Study Tip
  32. “modeling” vs. “modelling,” associate the single ‘L’ in “modeling” with the simpler US English spelling, and the double ‘L’ in “modelling” with the UK’s preference for more letters.
  33. Synonyms of model
  34. reproduction
  35. pygmy (of a size that is less than average)
  36. Phrases with model
  37. Origin of the word model
  38. Etymonline on model:
  39. 1570s, “likeness made to scale; architect’s set of designs,” from French modelle (16c., Modern French modèle), from Italian modello “a model, mold,” from Vulgar Latin *modellus, from Latin modulus “a small measure, standard,” diminutive of modus “manner, measure”.
  40. —Etymonline, model.
  41. Learn more about US English vs. UK English
  42. Which is it: “Favorite” or “Favourite”?
  43. Is it Spelled Metre or Meter?
  44. Which is Correct: Honour or Honor?
  45. Is it “Behaviour” or “Behavior”?
  46. Is it “Labour” or “Labor”?
  47. Favour or Favor (Which is Correct?)
  48. How to Spell Centre (Centre or Center?)
  49. “Defence” or “Defense” (Which Spelling is Correct?)
  50. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of model.” Online Etymology Dictionary, Accessed 12 February, 2024.
  51. “Pygmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pygmy. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.
  52. Question 1 of 10
  53. Which is grammatically correct?
  54. First option
  55. Second option
  56. What makes a sentence grammatically correct?
  57. Proper structure
  58. Right words
  59. Clear meaning
  60. Question 3: What is the main focus of this grammar content?
  61. Grammar rules
  62. Sentence structure
  63. Question 4: Which is most important for proper grammar?
  64. Correct spelling
  65. Proper structure
  66. Clear meaning
  67. Question 5: Grammar rules help with:
  68. Writing clearly
  69. Speaking correctly
  70. Understanding text
  71. Question 6: What is the main focus of this grammar content?
  72. Grammar rules
  73. Sentence structure
  74. Question 7: Which is most important for proper grammar?
  75. Correct spelling
  76. Proper structure
  77. Clear meaning
  78. Question 8: Grammar rules help with:
  79. Writing clearly
  80. Speaking correctly
  81. Understanding text
  82. Question 9: What is the main focus of this grammar content?
  83. Grammar rules
  84. Sentence structure
  85. Question 10: Which is most important for proper grammar?
  86. Correct spelling
  87. Proper structure
  88. Clear meaning
  89. Which aspect is most important when learning grammar?
  90. MemorizationPracticeReadingAll of the above
  91. How can you improve your grammar skills?
  92. Study rules onlyPractice with examplesIgnore mistakesSpeed reading
  93. Frequently Asked Questions
  94. What are literary devices? +
  95. Techniques writers use to enhance their writing and convey messages effectively.
  96. How do literary devices differ from rhetorical devices? +
  97. Literary devices are specific to creative writing, while rhetorical devices are broader.
  98. Why should I learn about literary devices? +
  99. They help you understand and appreciate literature more deeply.
  100. Can I use literary devices in my own writing? +
  101. Yes, they can make your writing more engaging and effective.
  102. What’s the best way to remember different devices? +
  103. Practice identifying them in texts you read regularly.

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