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Glite Dictionary
Canadian spelling

Canadian spelling

6.0
The way English words are written in Canada, mixing British and American forms
  • noun
  • Canadian
translation icon : ortografía canadiense
  • The word 'colour' is an example of Canadian spelling that differs from American usage.

Examples

  • Many Canadian publications follow Canadian spelling even when using American grammar.

  • Schools in Canada teach children Canadian spelling as part of the curriculum.

  • I prefer Canadian spelling for certain words.

  • Do you understand Canadian spelling differences?

  • Many Canadian publications adhere to Canadian spelling to reflect their unique identity.

  • In Canadian schools, students are instructed on Canadian spelling to help them master the language.

  • An example of Canadian spelling is the use of 'centre' instead of the American 'center'.

Synonyms

Canadian English spelling
vsCanadian spelling
  • Canadian
4.9

English spelling used in Canada that combines British and American forms

is the country's standard set of letter rules rather than a named convention
Canadian English orthography
vsCanadian spelling
  • Canadian
7.8

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

is limited to letter rules rather than including wider writing practices

Surface Forms

Canadian spelling singular
Canadian spellings plural

Morphology

Canadian + spelling

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'Canadian' (connected with Canada) modifies 'spelling' (arrangement of letters), so the meaning 'the spelling conventions used in Canada' is directly inferable from the parts. This compositional pattern is common cross-linguistically (e.g. 'British spelling', 'American spelling'), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand it.

Etymology

Canadian spelling comes from Canada's history: the word Canadian shows where this way is used and spelling means how words are written. Because Canada used to be connected to Britain and is next to the United States, writers kept some British forms like 'colour' and also used American forms like 'color', so Canadian spelling today means a mixed way of writing words.