✅ Neighbor
United States
Standard American spelling.
✅ Neighbour
UK, Canada, Australia
Standard British spelling.
Verdict: Both are 100% correct. Your choice depends entirely on which country you are writing for.
Have you ever stared at a red underline in your document and wondered why your spellchecker is angry? If you type neighbour while your computer is set to American English, it looks like a mistake. If you type neighbor in London, it looks incomplete.
The difference between these two words is purely geographic. There is no difference in meaning, pronunciation, or usage. They both refer to a person who lives near you.
When to Use Neighbor (No “U”)
Neighbor is the standard spelling in the United States. If you are writing for an American audience, you should always exclude the “u”.
This streamlined spelling became standard in America largely due to Noah Webster, the creator of the dictionary. He believed in simplifying English spelling to match pronunciation more closely.
When to Use Neighbour (With “U”)
Neighbour is the standard spelling in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most other English-speaking countries.
This spelling retains the “u” found in its Old French roots. If you are writing for an international audience or strictly British context, keep the “u”.
Note on Canada: While Canadians generally prefer the British spelling (neighbour), due to proximity to the US, you might occasionally see the American version in informal Canadian writing. However, schools and government documents use the “u”.
Examples in Sentences
To see how these words fit naturally into text, look at these examples. Notice that the spelling changes, but the meaning remains identical.
🇺🇸 American Style
“My next-door neighbor helped me fix my fence yesterday.”
“We are planning a welcome party for the new neighbors.”
🇬🇧 British Style
“My next-door neighbour helped me fix my fence yesterday.”
“We are planning a welcome party for the new neighbours.”
The “-or” vs. “-our” Pattern
This spelling difference isn’t unique to just one word. It follows a consistent pattern across the English language. American English tends to end words in -or, while British English prefers -our.
Here is a quick reference table to help you spot other words that follow this exact rule:
| American English (US) | British English (UK) |
|---|---|
| Color | Colour |
| Flavor | Flavour |
| Honor | Honour |
| Labor | Labour |
| Rumor | Rumour |
Does This Apply to Derived Words?
Yes, the spelling rule extends to words built from the root. If you are describing the area where you live or someone’s friendly behavior, you must keep the spelling consistent.
- In the US: You live in a neighborhood and you act in a neighborly way.
- In the UK: You live in a neighbourhood and you act in a neighbourly way.
Quick Memory Trick
Think of the U in Unitied Kingdom.
If you are writing for the UK, you need the U in neighbour.
