Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

alternative-spelling

noun

/ˌɔːltərˈneɪtɪv ˈspɛlɪŋ/

Definition

A different way of spelling a word that is accepted or commonly used.

Examples

“Color” and “colour” are alternative spellings of the same word.
“Traveler” and “traveller” are examples of alternative spellings in American and British English, respectively.

Meaning

Alternative spellings offer variation in how a word can be represented in written form, often influenced by dialect, regional usage, or changes over time.