If you’re stuck between labeled and labled, the choice is clean: labeled is the standard spelling, while labled is a common typo. You may also run into labelled (double “l”) in British-style writing, and it means the same thing.
The Short, Clear Answer Spelling matters here because only one option is a real word in standard usage: labeled. The form labled is not standard, even when you switch between US and UK conventions.
- Part Of Speech: Verb / Adjective
- US Form: labeled, labeling
- UK Form: labelled, labelling
- Common Typo: labled
The Correct Spelling
labeled is the correct spelling for the past tense and past participle of the verb label in American English. Many dictionaries also accept labelled as a valid variant, and they list labeling / labelling the same way. ✅Source
✅ Correct labeled is a real standard form. ❌ Wrong labled is a typing-based misspelling, not a recognized spelling variant.
- ✅ labeled: widely used in US spelling.
- ✅ labelled: widely used in UK spelling.
- ❌ labled: not standard in either system.
Why People Write “Labled”
The spelling labled usually comes from a quick letter transposition: the second e in labeled gets lost or shifts position during typing. It looks close enough to feel familiar, which is why this typo spreads easily.
In standard spelling, the base word label keeps its e when you add endings like -ed and -ing. That’s why labeled and labeling keep the same core shape, while labled creates a nonstandard stem (labl-) that doesn’t match conventional forms.
- Keyboard rhythm: the letters in labeled sit close together, so a swap is easy.
- Visual memory: people remember the “look” of labeled and may not notice the missing e.
- Autocorrect gaps: some devices flag labled late, especially inside names or labels in software.
Labeled vs Labelled
labeled and labelled are about regional convention, not meaning. In many UK-based style systems, you’ll often see doubled consonants in similar patterns (for example, modelling rather than modeling). ✅Source
American English Forms
- labeled ✅
- labeling ✅
- unlabeled ✅
British English Forms
- labelled ✅
- labelling ✅
- unlabelled ✅
The difference is tied to a broader spelling convention: in British usage, a final -l is often doubled before endings like -ed and -ing in certain patterns, while American usage usually keeps a single l. That’s the background that leads to labelled vs labeled. ✅Source
| Form | Status | Typical Context | What It Signals |
|---|---|---|---|
| labeled | ✅ Correct | American English writing, US-focused docs | Single “l” convention in many derived forms (labeling, unlabeled) |
| labelled | ✅ Correct | British English writing, UK-focused docs | Double “l” convention in many derived forms (labelling, unlabelled) |
| labled | ❌ Wrong | Fast typing, informal drafts, accidental misspelling | Letter order error (missing or displaced e) |
Meaning and Grammar
labeled works in two main ways. First, it’s the verb form (past tense / past participle) of label, meaning “marked with a label.” Second, it’s an adjective meaning “already marked or named,” often seen in phrases like labeled containers or labeled axes in charts.
- Verb (Past Tense / Participle): labeled
- Marked with a label or a name (for example, “The boxes were labeled by room.”).
- Adjective: labeled
- Describes something that is already identified or categorized (for example, “Use labeled folders to stay organized.”).
One extra detail that matters for spelling discussions: English spelling isn’t a single global system. Many reputable references record variable spellings, and they expect consistency within a chosen convention. That’s why labeled and labelled can both be standard, while labled remains a misspelling. ✅Source
Real Examples in Context
These examples show the difference in a practical way. Each line keeps the meaning the same, while the spelling signals either US convention or UK convention. The form labled stays nonstandard.
- ✅ The jars were labeled with the contents and date.
- ✅ The chart has clearly labeled axes and units.
- ✅ The files were labelled by category before archiving.
- ✅ The drawers are labelled for quick identification.
- ❌ The jars were labled with the contents and date.
Worth noticing: labeled and labelled are both intentional spellings tied to convention. labled usually shows up as an accidental typo, not a regional variant.
Related Forms and Close Lookalikes
Once you know labeled is standard, the surrounding family becomes easier to recognize. In American English you’ll often see labeling and unlabeled. In British English the matching forms are labelling and unlabelled. The typo labled doesn’t belong to this family.
- labeling (US) vs labelling (UK)
- unlabeled (US) vs unlabelled (UK)
- relabel, relabeled (US) vs relabelled (UK)
In official US federal publishing, the spelling labeled appears as the normal form, which matches the broader American English convention. ✅Source
FAQ
Common Questions About labeled, labelled, and labled
Is “labled” ever correct?
No. labled is a misspelling. Use labeled in American English, or labelled in British English, depending on convention.
Does “labelled” mean something different from “labeled”?
No. labeled and labelled share the same meaning. The difference is regional spelling, not a change in definition.
What about “labeling” vs “labelling”?
It’s the same pattern. labeling is the US form, and labelling is the UK form. Neither form supports the typo labled.
Can “labeled” be an adjective, not just a verb?
Yes. labeled can describe something that is already identified or marked, like “labeled containers” or “labeled data.”
Why do some spellcheckers accept both “labeled” and “labelled”?
Spellcheckers often follow a chosen dictionary setting or language variant. That’s why labeled and labelled can both appear as accepted forms, while labled typically gets flagged as incorrect.