Canceled or cancelled?
One of the most pressing fears in our current cultural climate—also known as the fear of being cancelled . . . or is it canceled?
The event was canceled due to rain.
We cancelled the meeting.
They cancel their reservation yesterday.
The order has been cancelling.
Which spelling is correct: cancelled vs. canceled
- <>US English spells canceled with one “L”.
- UK English spells cancelled with the double “L”.
The verb cancel (usually on something or someone), means to decide that something that had been arranged will now no longer happen or take place. Relatedly, it can also mean to make void, as in a contract or some other obligation.
Why is there American English and British English?
The divergence in spelling, which are shown in the previous section, are mostly the influence of an American man and lexicographer, Noah Webster. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the Noah Webster of Webster’s dictionary.
The short of it is that Mr. Webster felt it was too tricky for the American kids to learn the spellings of British English, and so, he proposed reforms of words to be spelled in a more straightforward, Americanized way.
His first dictionary was focused on spelling, and was called the Blue Back Speller. That’s it—that’s the story behind the differences in American and Brit English spelling.
Examples of cancelled/canceled in the media
| Word Form | Examples |
|---|---|
| Other | “Likewise, his poll taxes are cancelled and annulled for the three years next preceding if he has an honorable discharge.” (from WashingtonBlade article by Khelil Bouarrouj)
“‘After I have cancelled my indebtedness to you,’ she said, serenely.” |
Associate ‘Cancelled’ (UK) with its double ‘L’, matching the two words in ‘United Kingdom’.
Examples of canceled used in sentences
- “In the end they canceled all London engagements and quietly set out for Scotland.” (Mark Twain: A Biography, Albert Bigelow Paine, 2006)
- “I canceled Ange’s dinner at our place and started spending even more time there.” (Little Brother, Cory Doctorow)
- “He took the canceled paper, nodded coldly to the Jew, and left the money-lender’s office with his companions.” Friendship’s Guise, W.M. Murray Graydon)
- “Her complications had been canceled like vulgar fractions, and she was left in a state of the most deplorable simplicity.” (Dodo’s Daughter, E.F. Benson)
- “Some big act is canceled owing to illness and they have to have a sketch.” (Jane Journeys On, Ruth Comfort Mitchell)
- “Your lease is by the term—a term being three months—and can be canceled upon giving one term’s notice.” (Paris Vistas, Helen Davenport Gibbons.)
- “The event was canceled at the last minute when the speaker didn’t show up.” (Merriam-Webster)
- “The agreement can be canceled by either side with a formal written notice.” (Merriam-Webster)
Cancelled, synonyms
- to put an end to
- discontinue
- halt
- interrupt
- disrupt
- break off
- terminate
- stop
- abandon
- abort
- call of
- drop
- repeal
- rescind
- revoke
Antonyms of canceled
- continue
- keep
- start
- commence
- begin
- initiate
- start
- take on
- undertake
- take-up
Forms of cancel
- Base verb, to cancel.
- Past tense and past participle: canceled, or cancelled.
- Present participle/gerund form, cancelling or canceling (same rule applies here as with the past tense form regarding British vs. American spelling.)
Read about other misused words
Sources
- Bouarrouj, K. (2021, February 21). Anti-BDS laws an affront to free speech. WashingtonBlade. https://www.washingtonblade.com/2021/02/19/anti-bds-laws-an-affront-to-free-speech/
- Mark Twain: A Biography, by Albert Bigelow Paine, 2006
- Jane Journeys On, Ruth Comfort Mitchell
- Paris Vistas, Helen Davenport Gibbons
- Belgium by George T.W. Omand
- A Houseful of Girls by Sarah Tytler
- Canadian, British, and American
- “Noah Webster normalized many American spellings” Mark Abadi
- The Diamond Coterie by Lawrence L. Lynch
Worksheet
Which is the correct US English spelling of the past participle of “cancel”?
Which is the correct UK English spelling of the simple past tense of “cancel”?
The sentence “They cancel their reservation yesterday” is incorrect because:
The sentence “The order has been cancelling” is incorrect because:
What is the primary reason for the spelling difference between “canceled” and “cancelled”?
The meeting was due to unforeseen circumstances.
Yesterday, we our flight to Paris.
The show has been until further notice.
I have my subscription to the magazine.
The difference in spelling between “canceled” and “cancelled” is primarily due to the influence of .
FAQs
“Canceled” vs. “Cancelled”—which is correct?
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What’s the past tense of “cancel”?
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How do I use “cancel” correctly?
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Why are there spelling differences?
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What are some examples of correct usage?
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Yash, D. "How to Use Cancelled or Canceled (Explained, With Examples)." Grammarflex, Aug 24, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/canceled-vs-cancelled-which-is-correct/.
