Cancellation vs Cancelation: Clear Up the Confusion

Have you ever had to choose between “cancellation” and “cancelation” and felt uncertainty about which one is correct? The difference comes from English variations in different countries. In the United States, the American spelling is “cancelation,” while the United Kingdom, Australia, and other English-speaking countries prefer “cancellation.” 

This variation is common in words where one region uses a double “l” while another does not. Many writers encounter both spellings in books, websites, and official documents, making it hard to tell which one is the standard.

Over time, spellings have adapted, and modern spell-checking tools may accept both versions, adding to the inconsistency. If you are writing for a specific audience, it is important to clarify the appropriate spelling based on the dialect. The presence of different forms can be noticeable, especially in professional writing, so checking sources and using the right words is key. 

As someone who has often had to read and write for different platforms, I have learned to always check the information before finalizing my usage. Exploring these differences helps avoid mistakes and ensures that your writing aligns with the right standard.

Cancellation vs Cancelation: Quick Summary

The Both spellings “cancellation” and “cancelation” are correct but “cancellation” is preferred spelling, and depends on the region, British English retains the traditional form with two “l’s,” while American English uses the simplified version with one. For clarity and consistency, choose the version that fits your audience.

What Do “Cancellation” and “Cancelation” Mean?

Cancellation and cancelation both refer to the action of calling off or stopping something that was planned or scheduled, like an event or a flight. Despite the spelling difference, the meaning remains the same. 

The root word is cancel, which means to make something invalid or to withdraw it. Cancellation with two L’s is the more common version, while cancelation with one L is used in American English, but it is less frequently seen. Both terms convey the concept of an official end to a previously arranged plan or agreement.

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Cancellation vs Cancelation: Which one to use?

When deciding between cancellation and cancelation, the choice largely depends on the form of English you’re using. In American English, cancelation with one l is often used, but cancellation with two l’s is widely accepted and more standard. 

On the other hand, British English, as well as most official documents, publications, and dictionaries, prefer cancellation with two l’s. This is the correct spelling to use in almost every case.

In terms of usage, cancellation is the most predominantly used form, appearing in dictionaries and publications from the US, UK, and other regions. According to a breakdown of usage levels, cancellation is the preferred spelling with about 91% of the population in the US, 96% in the UK, 97% in India, 93% in the Philippines, 93% in Canada, 96% in Australia, 100% in Liberia, 95% in Ireland, 93% in New Zealand, and 100% in Guyana. 

Cancelation is less common, especially in official contexts, where clarity and consistency are key. If you’re unsure, always stick to cancellation, as it is more widely accepted and recognized across different countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Whether you’re writing a formal document, a report, or even a casual message, cancellation is your safest bet to avoid any confusion or inconsistencies. In places like Liberia, Trinidad, and Guyana, the spelling with two l’s is 100% preferred, ensuring you maintain the correct spelling for a broader audience.

Tip: If you’re unsure, it’s safest to choose “cancellation” with two l’s. This spelling is widely accepted in both American and British English, helping your writing stay clear and professional for any audience.

Why Do American and British English Differ in the Use of Single or Double “L”?

The difference in spelling between cancelation and cancellation mainly comes from historical changes made in the 19th century. American lexicographer Noah Webster introduced simplification in spelling to make it more straightforward. 

This resulted in the use of a single “l” in words like canceling, traveling, and modeling, while British English retained the double “l” in words like cancelled and travelling. The stress of the syllable before the suffix is another key reason, as American English typically doesn’t double the consonant unless the stress is on the final syllable, like in occur and occurring. 

British English follows a more traditional pattern and continues to use the double “l” in many such words. Here’s a simple comparison to illustrate the difference:

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Synonyms of “Cancellation”

Is There a General Rule I Can Follow?

In American English, there’s a simple general rule when you want to add a suffix to a word like cancel. If the word ends in l and is preceded by a vowel, you keep the l single. For example, cancel becomes cancelation or canceling. 

However, in British English, you need to double the l, making it cancellation and cancelling. The same rule is followed in Australian English. This pattern works for many other words, like travel (becoming travelling in British English) and model (which turns into modelling).

The rule is not perfect, and there are some exceptions. Some words don’t follow this pattern and require care when adding a suffix. For example, you can find cases where the doubling of the l isn’t necessary. It’s important to understand these rules, as they help when writing or speaking. 

Some find these rules a bit complicated, but there are resources that can make it easier to follow the correct behavior. These subtle differences can change the ending of the word, so be sure to consider the context and word when deciding which form to use.

Cancellation vs Cancelation: Examples

Cancellation Examples

1. “The cancellation of the hotel booking caused a lot of trouble.”
2. “The flight was canceled due to bad weather.”
3. “After the committee announced the cancellation of the event, we made new plans.”
4. “I received a notice about the cancellation of the program.”
5. “They sent a refund for the cancellation of my hotel reservation.”
6. “Due to unexpected travel disruptions, the show was canceled.”
7. “The organizers gave a refund after the cancellation of the theater performance.”
8. “The project was postponed after the cancellation notice came in.”
9. “I got an email confirming the cancellation of the restaurant reservation.”
10. “The M-275 was affected by a cancellation due to bad weather.”
11. “The SPARC cancellation caused a lot of confusion among the alumni.”
12. “After the cancellation of the IMSA GT Championship, there were several meetings with the committee.”
13. “The performance was canceled just hours before the show.”
14. “The policy allows for a refund if you request a cancellation within 48 hours.”
15. “I noticed the cancellation of the event and immediately made alternative plans.”

Cancelation Examples

1. “The cancelation of my flight was announced last minute.”
2. “We had to deal with the cancelation of the hotel reservation.”
3. “The cancelation of the project was a huge setback for the team.”
4. “After the cancelation of the performance, we received a refund.”
5. “There was a cancelation of the show due to bad weather.”
6. “She got a notice about the cancelation of her restaurant reservation.”
7. “The cancelation of the contract led to several legal disputes.”
8. “The cancelation of the event was unexpected and disappointing.”
9. “The cancelation of Juninho’s agreement with the team shocked everyone.”
10. “They announced the cancelation of the series after the season finale.”
11. “We received a refund after the cancelation of our flight.”
12. “The cancelation of the SPARC event was met with disappointment by many.”
13. “The cancelation of the program caused some confusion among the participants.”
14. “A massive storm led to the cancelation of all flights for the day.”
15. “The cancelation was confirmed after the committee had a meeting.”

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Origins of “Cancellation”

The word “cancellation” has its roots in the 1530s, coming from the Latin term cancellationem and the verb cancellare, which means “to cross out” or “to make lattice-like.” Originally, this was used for marking lines through text to indicate nullification. In the 15th century, the term was even found in medical writing, referring to retinal images. 

By the 20th century, the term had evolved and become common in modern use to refer to the calling off of an event or reservations. The idea of canceling something, especially appointments, became widespread, marking the shift from its early usage in writing and text to more general contexts like today’s cancelation or canceled situations.

Cancelled or Canceled: Which Is Correct?

When it comes to the word “canceled” vs “cancelled”, the preference really depends on the form of English you are using. In US English, the correct spelling is “canceled” with one “l”, while in UK English, the form with two “l”s (“cancelled”) is preferred. This difference is part of the larger distinction between American and British English spelling patterns. 

For example, in US English, verbs like “cancel” follow the simpler pattern of using a single “l” in the past tense, like “canceled” or “canceling”. In contrast, British English often uses double “l”s, so it would be “cancelled” or “cancelling”. Despite the difference, both spellings are common and widely used, but you should always follow the standard spelling for the type of English you’re using.

Cancelled and Canceled: Examples

1. “The flight was cancelled due to bad weather.”
2. “I received an email saying my reservation was canceled.”
3. “They cancelled the meeting at the last minute.”
4. “The concert was canceled because of technical issues.”
5. “My appointment was cancelled after the doctor got sick.”
6. “He had to cancel the event because of unforeseen circumstances.”
7. “Our dinner reservation was canceled when we were late.”
8. “The show was cancelled at the last minute by the producers.”
9. “The conference was canceled because of the ongoing strike.”
10. “I had to cancel my subscription after realizing I didn’t need it.”
11. “The event was canceled following the government announcement.”
12. “Due to a scheduling conflict, they canceled the workshop.”
13. “The trip was canceled because of unforeseen issues.”
14. “The flight cancelled due to unexpected technical failure.”
15. “The performance was canceled at the last minute by the organizers.”

Canceled or Cancelled? Canceler or Canceller? Canceling or Cancelling?

When it comes to the spelling of canceling, cancelation, or cancelled, the difference largely depends on whether you’re using American English or British English. In American English, the words are typically spelled with a single “l” like canceled, canceling, and canceler, while in British English, the double “l” version—cancelled, cancelling, and canceller—is more common. 

Both forms are accepted in modern usage, though American English tends to prefer the single “l”. The pattern is consistent, with versions of the word being used interchangeably, but the difference can be seen in the regional spelling. Whether you are talking about cancellation or cancelation, the form still fits the pattern of how we express the outcome of something being revoked or annulled.

Ronnie Dawson

A communication coach with a background in public speaking and business English. He helps professionals refine their English for workplace success.