This word is a student’s best friend and a concertgoer’s most dreaded nightmare. Take these two examples of words that might appear on signs:
Snow day: School canceled.
Drummer has food poisoning: Performance cancelled.
So which spelling is correct? The answer depends on where you call home.
Canceled or cancelled is the past tense of the verb to cancel. Both spellings are correct; Americans favor canceled (one l), while cancelled (two l’s) is preferred in British English and other dialects. Canceling/cancelling and canceler/canceller follow the same pattern. However, cancelation is rarely used (though technically correct), and cancellation is by far the more widely used spelling, no matter where you are.
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For a more in-depth explanation of the spellings and the exceptions, keep reading.
Why cancelled and canceled are different
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Way back when, a man named Noah Webster (of Webster’s Dictionary fame) decided that some words could get along just fine without as many letters as our friends the Brits put in them. That’s why many American spellings look different from their British counterparts: Think color/colour, honor/honour, rumor/rumour.
Here’s a tip:
American English is all about one l, and British English goes for two.
For similar word-shortening reasons, Mr. Webster decided to chop the past tense of cancel down to one l. This variation first showed up in the 1828 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, though it didn’t fully beat out the double-l spelling until about the 1980s. It’s not a hard-and-fast rule, but it’s the accepted form in American English to this day.
Cancelled vs. canceled: American examples
“The route with the highest percentage of canceled flights last year was New York LaGuardia to Washington’s Dulles International.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Is your favorite TV show canceled? A guide to what’s renewed and what’s in trouble. —The Washington Post
And some extra-American examples:
Mom and Pop couldn’t muster enough apples to bake a nice, warm apple pie, so they went ahead and canceled the county barbecue.
The dudes running the show in Hollywood would never think of canceling the next blockbuster superhero film.
Since the automatic canceler stopped all electronic signals as soon as the tornado weather started, it looks like we’ll have to go surfing.
However, for any Briton, cancelled has two l’s and always will.
Cancelled vs. canceled: British examples
“At the end of one of its most difficult weeks of the year, British Airways cancelled 50 flights to and from London on Saturday, the vast majority at Heathrow Terminal 5.” —The Independent
“Downton Abbey will not be cancelled after fifth season, producer confirms.” —The Independent
The Beatles never cancelled a gig just because they didn’t get a nice cup of tea beforehand.
The blokes at the theatre will be cancelling the programme today due to the Queen’s visit.
Since the neighbour’s pyjama party was cancelled, let’s queue for some fish and chips at the pub, mate.
Brilliant, eh?
Spelling exception: cancellation
Now that we’ve traveled (and not travelled, thanks to the same rule) through the spelling rules of British vs. American English, let’s look at the exception. Yes, there’s always an exception.
Here’s a tip:
The word cancellation is solidly spelled with two l’s, no matter where you are.
Because sugar makes students too hyper, the principal has called for the cancellation of cotton candy sales before classes.
As sugar makes students a wee bit barmy, the headmaster has demanded the cancellation of candy floss purchases prior to modules.
“Flight cancellations have piled up deeper than snow drifts this winter. —The Wall Street Journal
Think of it like this: When you turn the verb cancel into the past tense, the word stays the same number of syllables (two), so it’s a matter of location whether you use two l’s or one. The -ation that turns the word into a noun, on the other hand, puts adds two whole new syllables after the l. The double l is a like a bridge to those new syllables. At least, that’s one way to keep your l’s in line.
Now you can consider your confusion about these words canceled. Cheers!
FAQs
Canceled or cancelled is the past tense of the verb to cancel. Both spellings are correct; Americans favor canceled (one l), while cancelled (two l's) is preferred in British English and other dialects. Canceling/cancelling and canceler/canceller follow the same pattern.
Which is better cancelled or canceled? ›
'Canceled' or 'Cancelled'?
One L or two? While both canceled and cancelled are acceptable for the past tense of cancel, the version with one L is more common in American English, while the version with two L's is more common in British English.
Which is correct is cancelled or was cancelled? ›
Both are correct. Which one you should use is determined by the point in time when the meeting occurs, relative to when the words are spoken or written. If that meeting is behind us (has already taken place), use was. If that meeting is in the future (has yet to take place), use is.
What is the meaning of cancelled and canceled? ›
They are the past tense of the verb cancel, meaning to decide or announce that a planned event will not be taking place. Canceled, with one L, is the preferred spelling of the word in American English, whereas cancelled, with a double L, is the preferred spelling in British English.
Is it canceled or cancelled in India? ›
In India, both “canceled” and “cancelled” are commonly used, and both are considered acceptable spellings. However, the preferred spelling may vary depending on individual preferences or the specific style guide being followed. In British English, “cancelled” with two “l's” is the preferred spelling.
When did cancelled become canceled? ›
Webster decided to chop the past tense of cancel down to one l. This variation first showed up in the 1828 edition of Webster's Dictionary, though it didn't fully beat out the double-l spelling until about the 1980s. It's not a hard-and-fast rule, but it's the accepted form in American English to this day.
Is it successfully cancelled or canceled successfully? ›
The phrase 'successfully cancelled' is correct and usable in written English. It can be used to describe the successful completion of an event or task being canceled. For example, "The meeting was successfully cancelled due to unforeseen circ*mstances."
What is the difference between grey and gray? ›
Gray and grey are both common spellings of the color between black and white. Gray is more frequent in American English, whereas grey is more common in British English. The varying usage of both grey and gray extends to specialized terms such as animal species (gray/grey whale) and scientific terms (gray/grey matter).
Why does the US spell differently? ›
American spelling was invented as a form of protest
Webster wanted American spelling to not only be more straightforward but different from UK spelling, as a way of America showing its independence from the former British rule.
Which is correct, traveled or travelled? ›
“Traveled” and “travelled” mean the same thing and neither is strictly speaking “correct” or “incorrect. The correct American English spelling is “traveled,” while the correct British English spelling is “travelled.” So it's not a battle of travelled vs traveled but rather a question of who will be reading your email.
The rule for the different spellings is very simple. Canceled and cancelled are both spelled correctly, but the difference is purely regional. If you come from America and use American English, then you should use the single L spelling and write canceled.
What is the difference between has cancelled and has been cancelled? ›
“Has been cancelled” implies that the cancellation occurred previously and the announcement/statement is coming later as a repeat or perhaps as a reminder. “Is cancelled” implies that the cancellation has just occurred and this is the initial announcement.
What is an example of cancelled? ›
He canceled his insurance policy last month. We canceled our magazine subscription when we moved. The bank canceled my credit card. If you subscribe online, you can cancel at any time.
Is it cancelled or canceled in Canada? ›
Is it cancelled or canceled in Canada? Canadian English uses cancelled, the same as British English. In fact, double “ll” is used in most countries other than the US that uses single “l”.
Is it correct to say has been canceled? ›
"it has been cancelled" is a correct and usable phrase in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that something (an event, an arrangement, etc.) has been cancelled. For example: "The concert has been cancelled due to the weather conditions." He has just heard that it has been cancelled.
What is the British word for canceled? ›
Synonyms of 'cancel' in British English
We should scrap nuclear and chemical weapons. The take-off was aborted. Her insurance had been cancelled by the company. The marriage was annulled last month.
What is the correct way to say cancelled? ›
Cancelled and canceled are both correct spellings of the past tense of the verb “to cancel,” which means “revoke,” “annul,” or “neutralize.” The spelling depends on the variant of English you use: In British English, “cancelled” with a double "l" is most common.
Which is correct, cancellation or cancelation? ›
Cancelation or cancellation
Cancellation (double “l”) is a noun used to refer to an act or instance of canceling something. This is the standard spelling in both UK and US English. While “cancelation” (one “l”) occurs occasionally in US English, it's rare and best avoided.
Does cancellation have 1 or 2 L? ›
Similarly, canceling is also more common in American English, while cancelling is more common in British English. Its noun cancellation (with two Ls) is the recommended spelling, regardless of which dialect you're writing in.
Is cancelled a slang? ›
This sense of cancel is the basic idea behind the slang meaning of canceling a person. When a person is canceled, they are no longer supported publicly. Usually public figures are said to be canceled after it has been discovered that they have done something offensive.
