Skillful vs. Skilful
Cambridge marks “skilful” as UK and “skillful” as the US spelling. The guide treats the choice as a documented variant boundary rather than assuming that one form is universally incorrect.
Use “skillful” in US style and “skilful” in UK style unless a specific name or house style requires otherwise.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| ordinary US spelling | skillful | Use the double-l form “skillful.” |
| ordinary UK spelling | skilful | Use the single-l form “skilful.” |
| a name, quotation, or house style with a fixed spelling | preserve the required form | Regional convention can yield to an explicit fixed style. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you following ordinary UK spelling?
If yes: Use “skilful.”
If no: Use “skillful” in ordinary US spelling, unless house style says otherwise.
Caveat: This is a regional spelling distinction; the meaning is the same.
Examples
It was a skillful repair.
“Skillful” follows ordinary US spelling.
It was a skilful repair.
“Skilful” follows ordinary UK spelling.
The US edition praised her skillful handling of the issue.
The US spelling is kept consistent.
Further guidance
Core difference
The adjective has the same meaning in the two regional spellings.
Style Boundary
Choose the regional spelling convention consistently; do not treat the other established form as a misspelling in its normal variety.
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.
- Skilful — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Skilful as UK spelling and skillful as US spelling