Judgment vs. Judgement
“Judgment” and “judgement” are both documented spellings. Cambridge uses judgment as the main headword and also records judgement, including as a UK form in Business English, so context and house style matter.
Both “judgment” and “judgement” are documented. Follow the regional, legal, or house style required for your document.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| general spelling allowed by the governing variety/style | judgment / judgement | Both forms are documented; follow regional, legal, or house style. |
| fixed legal title, quotation, or official wording | preserve source form | Do not normalize an official name merely for stylistic consistency. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Does your jurisdiction, publication, or house style specify one spelling?
If yes: Use the required form consistently.
If no: If no style is imposed, choose a documented form appropriate to the audience and stay consistent.
Caveat: Legal usage can have jurisdiction-specific conventions, so do not turn a broad spelling preference into a universal legal rule.
Examples
The editor chose “judgment” and used it consistently throughout the report.
A consistent documented spelling is appropriate when house style permits it.
The magazine’s UK house style uses “judgement” in ordinary prose.
The alternative spelling is also documented.
Preserve the spelling used in an official case title or quoted document.
Official wording should not be silently normalized.
Further guidance
Core difference
Both “judgment” and “judgement” are recorded spellings; Cambridge uses “judgment” as the main headword and also records “judgement.”
Fast Test
Follow the spelling required by your dictionary, jurisdiction, publication, or house style, and stay consistent.
Variant Boundary
Avoid claiming that one form is universally incorrect; the cited dictionary records both.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- JUDGMENT — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Judgment headword with judgement also recorded
- JUDGEMENT — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · UK judgement entry cross-referenced to judgment