What’s the past tense of “spell”?
Spelt and spelled are both correct to reference the past tense of spell (the verb). To spell describes the act of writing or saying the letters of a word out loud, in the correct order.
- US English prefers spelled; i.e., the regular verb form ending in –ed.
- UK English uses spelled and spelt as a past tense and/or past participle form interchangeably.
She had spelled it wrong on every test until now.
She spell her name differently on the form.
Definition of the word “spell”
The word spell has another meaning, which makes it a homophone (words that sound the same but have different meanings). As a noun, a spell is “a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power.”
Anyone familiar with the Harry Potter series knows that wizards and witches are taught to cast spells—this is the sense in which the noun spell is meant. Spelt, in the past tense, is also a noun, and refers to the ancient and hulled wheat, spelt.
Forms of the verb spell
| Present | Past | Future | |
| simple | I spell | I spelt/spelled | I will spell |
| continuous | I am spelling | I was spelling | I will be spelling |
| perfect | I have spelt/spelled | I had spelt/spelled | I will have spelt/spelled |
| perfect continuous | I have been spelling | I had been spelling | I will have been spelling |
Irregular verbs like spell
| Base verb | Simple past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| dream | dreamed/dreamt | dreamed/dreamt |
| burn | burned/burnt | burned/burnt |
| sleep | slept | slept |
| leap | leapt/leaped | leapt/leaped |
Used in context: Spelt and spelled in sentences
| Word Form | Examples |
|---|---|
| Simple past (“spelled“/”spelt”) |
The child spelt the word for the teacher.
Is ‘necessary’ spelled with one ‘s’, or two?
|
| Present/past perfect/continuous (“spelled”) |
She’s always spelt her name like that.
She’s always spelt her name like that.
|
Remember the general rule: US English favours “spelled,” while UK English uses “spelt.” Geography, and context should clarify the style guide to follow!
Phrases with spell
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| to be under someone’s spell | To be magnetized or strongly drawn to someone. |
| death by spell check | When spell check reports many errors. |
| you can’t spell (something) without (something else) | Said of phrases/words that share letters and meaning. |
| I spell trouble | Indicates impending trouble or doom. |
| a dry spell | A long period without rain. |
| spell disaster | To indicate signs of coming disaster. |
| do I have to spell it out for you? | To explain something in the simplest terms. |
| a cold spell | A period of extremely cold weather. |
| to cast a spell | To induce the effects of a magic spell. |
| come in and sit a spell | An invitation to come in and relax a while. |
Origin of the word spell
Late 12c., brennen, “emit or perceive an odor,” not found in Old English, perhaps cognate with Middle Dutch smolen, Low German smelen “to smolder.”
Practice: spelled or spelt
FAQs
Is “spelt” or “spelled” correct?
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When should I use “spelt” in writing?
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What’s the difference in usage between “spelt” and “spelled”?
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Is “He spelled the word wrong” correct?
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Are “spelt” and “spelled” past participles?
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Sources
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“Spelt, N. (1).” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/7720481881.
Yash, D. "How to Use Spelled or Spelt? Which is Correct?." Grammarflex, Aug 24, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/which-is-the-past-tense-of-spell-spelled-or-spelt/.
