English UsageComparison guide
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
Confusion Familyspelling error
Rule Familystandard spelling
Termsseparate, seperate
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.