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Canadian English spelling

Canadian English spelling

4.9
English spelling used in Canada that combines British and American forms
  • noun
  • Canadian
translation icon : ortografía del inglés canadiense
  • Words like 'colour' and 'centre' are typical examples of Canadian English spelling.

Examples

  • Many textbooks in Canada follow Canadian English spelling rather than the American version.

  • In Canada, Canadian English spelling often includes 'u' in words.

  • He was confused by the mixture of British and American rules in Canadian English spelling.

  • I love the Canadian English spelling of 'colour'.

  • He was confused by the mixture of British and American rules in Canadian English spelling.

  • Many textbooks in Canada follow Canadian English spelling rather than the American version.

  • Words like 'colour' and 'centre' are typical examples of Canadian English spelling.

Synonyms

Canadian spelling
vsCanadian English spelling
  • Canadian
6.0

The way English words are written in Canada, mixing British and American forms

is the formal English spelling name for the same mixed conventions
Canadian English orthography
vsCanadian English spelling
  • Canadian
7.8

A set of spellings used in Canada that mixes British and American forms

is narrower focusing only on spelling rather than wider writing rules

Surface Forms

Morphology

Canadian + English + spelling

The phrase is a straightforward composition of 'Canadian' (of Canada) + 'English' (the language) + 'spelling' (how words are spelled), so a B1 learner who knows those words can infer it denotes the conventions of spelling used in Canadian English. This follows a common and predictable language pattern (country/language + spelling) and is cross-linguistically regular, making the meaning transparent.

Etymology

Canadian English spelling comes from Canada using both British and American spelling: people kept British forms like 'colour' and 'centre' but also use some American forms like 'color'. So it looks like a mix of British and American spelling today.