Labelled or Labeled | Difference & Examples
Labelled and labeled are two different spellings of the past tense of the verb ‘label’, referring to the act of attaching a label or identifying marker to something. The verb is also used negatively to refer to the act of assigning someone or something to a specific category.
The spelling tends to vary based on whether you’re using UK or US English:
- In US English, ‘labeled’ (one ‘l’) is standard.
- In UK English, ‘labelled’ (double ‘l’) is correct.
Even though the two politicians labeled/labelled each other dangerous, they were quite alike in their beliefs.
All of Niamh’s files were meticulously labeled/labelled.
When you’ve labeled/labelled the new products, please put them on the shelves.
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Labelling or labeling
The same spelling distinction applies to the present participle (‘-ing’) forms of the verb.
- In US English, it’s ‘labeling’ (one ‘l’).
- In UK English, it’s ‘labelling’ (double ‘l’).
The media has been unfairly labeling/labelling Charlie as a callous thief.
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Ryan, E. (2023, March 14). Labelled or Labeled | Difference & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 3 March 2025, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/uk-vs-us/labelled-vs-labeled/
