Signalling vs. Signaling
“Signalling” and “signaling” are regional spelling variants of the same verb and noun forms. British English normally doubles the l, while American English normally uses one l. Match the spelling system used elsewhere in your document.
Use “signalling” in British-oriented spelling and “signaling” in American-oriented spelling. Both represent the same word; consistency is more important than mixing regional systems.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Regional style | Use | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| British-oriented spelling | signalling | British English typically doubles the l. |
| American-oriented spelling | signaling | American English typically uses one l. |
| House style | keep the regional system consistent | The spellings represent the same word. |
Quick tests
Regional-spelling test
Which spelling system does the rest of the document follow?
If yes: Use “signalling” for British-oriented spelling or “signaling” for American-oriented spelling.
If no: If the document has a specific house style, follow it consistently across related forms.
Caveat: This is a regional orthographic difference, not a change in meaning.
Examples
The device is signalling an error.
British-oriented spelling.
The device is signaling an error.
American-oriented spelling.
Do not alternate the two spellings to suggest different meanings.
They are regional variants of the same word.
Further guidance
American
Use “signaling” when following American spelling conventions.
British
Use “signalling” when following British spelling conventions.
Consistency
Apply the same regional spelling policy to related forms throughout a document.
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.
- Signaling definition and meaning (opens in a new tab)HarperCollins Publishers · Current dictionary evidence distinguishing British signalling and US signaling spelling