What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
misspelling
Example
I made a misspelling in my essay and got marked down. [misspelling: noun]
Example
She misspelled 'their' as 'there' in her email, causing confusion. [misspelled: verb]
typo
Example
I found a typo in the report - it should say 'customer' instead of 'costumer'. [typo: noun]
Example
Sorry for the typo in my email - I meant to write 'meeting' instead of 'meting'. [typographical error: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Typo is a more commonly used term than misspelling in everyday language, as it is a more general term that encompasses a wider range of errors.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between misspelling and typo?
Misspelling is a more formal term than typo, which is often used in casual conversation or informal writing. However, both terms can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.