Worshiped vs. Worshipped
For the past tense and past participle of “worship,” Cambridge documents the doubled-p form and also permits the single-p form in US English. The difference is inflectional spelling, not meaning.
“Worshipped” is standard broadly; US English also uses “worshiped.” Follow your regional or house style consistently.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Context | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| general/British-style doubled consonant inflection | worshipped | The doubled-p past/participle is broadly standard. |
| US English single-p variant | worshiped | US English also permits the single-p inflection. |
| publication has an established spelling style | follow house style | Keep the inflection consistent with the chosen variety/style. |
Quick tests
Decision test
Is the text following a U.S. style that uses the documented single-p variant?
If yes: “Worshiped” is acceptable in that U.S. usage.
If no: “Worshipped” is the broadly standard doubled-p form.
Caveat: The forms differ in inflectional spelling, not meaning; do not present the U.S. single-p form as a different verb or sense.
Examples
They worshipped there for many years.
The doubled-p past form is broadly standard.
They worshiped there for many years.
The single-p past form is a documented U.S. variant.
The group had worshipped there before the building closed.
The doubled-p form also serves as the past participle.
Further guidance
Core difference
Both forms can be past-tense/past-participle spellings of “worship.”
Inflection Boundary
The doubled-p spelling is broadly established; the single-p spelling is an additional US form. Keep related inflections consistent with the chosen style.
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.
- Worship — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Worship verb inflection: -pp- and US also -p- forms