The Oxford spelling of 'colour' is colour. This is the standard British English spelling, widely used in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth countries, and in publications adhering to Oxford English Dictionary conventions.
Understanding Oxford Spelling
Oxford spelling primarily reflects British English conventions. While many words are spelled the same across different English dialects, a significant number exhibit variations, particularly between British English and American English. The word 'colour' is a classic example of this divergence.
- British English (Oxford Spelling): Retains the 'ou' in words like 'colour', 'favour', 'honour'.
- American English: Tends to drop the 'u', resulting in 'color', 'favor', 'honor'.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), considered the authoritative record of the English language, primarily lists the British English spellings as its main entries, often followed by alternative spellings (typically American) where they differ. This hierarchical presentation implicitly confirms 'colour' as the Oxford spelling.
Common Spelling Differences: British vs. American English
The 'ou' vs. 'o' difference is just one of several systematic spelling variations. Understanding these patterns can help clarify which spelling is appropriate for a given context.
Here's a table illustrating some common examples:
| Feature | British English (Oxford Spelling) | American English |
|---|---|---|
| -our / -or | colour, favour, honour, neighbour | color, favor, honor, neighbor |
| -re / -er | centre, theatre, metre | center, theater, meter |
| -ise / -ize | analyse, realise, organise | analyze, realize, organize (though -ise is also acceptable in British English for many verbs) |
| -ogue / -og | catalogue, dialogue | catalog, dialog |
| -ce / -se (Nouns/Verbs) | practice (n), licence (n) | practice (n), license (n) |
| practise (v), licence (v) | practice (v), license (v) | |
| Double L | travelling, cancelled | traveling, canceled |
For instance, when reading texts published by Oxford University Press or British media outlets, you will consistently encounter the 'colour' spelling, alongside 'favour', 'neighbour', and 'centre'. Conversely, American publications like The New York Times or Merriam-Webster dictionaries will use 'color', 'favor', 'neighbor', and 'center'.
For more detailed information, you can explore resources like the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries or the official Oxford English Dictionary website.
