Label is the correct spelling in standard English. Lable is a misspelling of label and should be avoided in formal writing, school assignments, business communication, and everyday text. The word label can refer to a tag that provides information, a descriptive category, or the act of attaching identifying information to something.
If you are wondering whether to write lable or label, choose label. Understanding its meaning and related forms will help you spell it correctly in different contexts.
Lable vs. Label: The Correct Spelling
The difference between lable and label is simple: label contains the letters -bel at the end, while lable incorrectly switches the final letters.
| Spelling | Status | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Label | Correct | Put a label on the box. |
| Lable | Incorrect for the intended word | Put a lable on the box. |
Standard English dictionaries recognize label as both a noun and a verb. The spelling lable is not the standard form of this word.
Although the mistake may seem minor, using the correct spelling makes your writing clearer and more professional.
What Does Label Mean?
The word label has several related meanings. It can identify an object, describe a category, or refer to the act of marking something with information.
Label as a Noun
As a noun, a label is a piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or another material attached to something to provide information. It can also mean a word or phrase used to describe a person, object, or group.
Examples include:
- Product label: The label lists the product’s ingredients.
- Address label: I printed a label for the shipping box.
- Clothing label: Check the label before washing the shirt.
- Descriptive label: The word “expert” became a label associated with her work.
In music, label can also refer to a company that produces and releases recorded music, such as a record label.
These meanings differ, but they all use the same spelling: label.
Label as a Verb
As a verb, to label means to attach identifying information to something or to describe someone or something using a particular term.
For example:
- Please label each box before moving it.
- We labeled the folders by year.
- The technician labeled every sample.
- It is unfair to label someone without understanding the situation.
In each sentence, label describes an action. The spelling of the base verb remains the same, although its form changes when the sentence requires a different tense or grammatical construction.
Examples of Label in a Sentence
Seeing the correct spelling in context makes it easier to recognize and remember.
Here are several original examples:
- The label on the bottle includes the manufacturer’s name.
- Please print a new label for the package.
- She attached a label to each storage container.
- The teacher asked us to label the parts of the diagram.
- We labeled all the files according to their subjects.
- He is labeling the folders before the meeting.
- The company designed a colorful label for its new product.
- Avoid using a negative label to describe someone based on one mistake.
Notice that the spelling label is correct whether the word identifies a physical object, describes a category, or expresses an action.
Incorrect vs. Correct Usage
Consider these sentences:
- Incorrect: Please write the address on the lable.
- Correct: Please write the address on the label.
- Incorrect: We labled every container in the storage room.
- Correct: We labeled every container in the storage room.
The second correction is important because adding a suffix does not make lable correct. Start with the properly spelled base word, label, and then form the appropriate derivative.
Labeled vs. Labelled and Labeling vs. Labelling
Another source of confusion is the difference between American and British English spelling.
American English generally uses labeled and labeling. British English commonly uses labelled and labelling. These are regional spelling differences, not evidence that lable is correct.
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| Label | Label |
| Labeled | Labelled |
| Labeling | Labelling |
| Relabeled | Relabelled |
If you are writing for an American audience, use labeled, labeling, and relabeled for consistency.
For example:
- American: The technician labeled the samples.
- British: The technician labelled the samples.
Both forms are accepted within their respective spelling conventions. However, lable is not the standard spelling in either convention.
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
A simple way to avoid the mistake is to memorize the complete word: L-A-B-E-L.
Keep the final letters in the order B-E-L. Do not move the e after the final l.
You can also practice with a short sentence:
Every label must be clear and readable.
Writing the word correctly in a few meaningful sentences can help reinforce the spelling.
If you use a spell-checking tool, pay attention when it flags lable. Correct it to label unless you are intentionally discussing the misspelling itself.
Conclusion: Choose Label, Not Lable
When deciding between lable or label, the correct choice is label. It is the standard spelling for a tag, an identifying mark, a descriptive category, or the action of marking something with information.
Remember that American English uses labeled and labeling, while British English commonly uses labelled and labelling. Neither variation uses lable as the standard spelling of the word.
When in doubt, write label and keep the spelling consistent throughout your work.