Separate vs. Seperate
The standard spelling is “separate,” with “a” in the middle syllable. “Seperate” is a common misspelling and should normally be corrected in edited English.
Use “separate.” “Seperate” is a misspelling.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Form | Status | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| separate | standard spelling | The middle written vowel is a. |
| seperate | misspelling | Replace the middle e with a. |
Quick tests
Middle-vowel check
Is the word spelled sep-a-rate?
If yes: You have the standard spelling “separate.”
If no: If you wrote “seperate,” change the middle vowel to a.
Caveat: Pronunciation can obscure the unstressed vowel, so use the written-form check.
Examples
Keep the two accounts separate.
“Separate” is the standard spelling.
Keep the two accounts seperate.
Better: Keep the two accounts separate.
“Seperate” is a common misspelling.
Further guidance
Memory Boundary
The middle vowel in the standard written form is “a”: sep-a-rate. Pronunciation can make that vowel less obvious, but the spelling remains “separate.”
Standard Form
Cambridge records “separate” as the adjective and verb spelling.
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.
- Separate — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Dictionary evidence for the standard spelling separate as adjective and verb.