Preferred Spelling & Dictionaries

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary is the preferred dictionary for spelling in APA style writing.

The APA Dictionary of Psychology is the preferred dictionary for spelling psychological terms.

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary
• APA Dictionary of Psychology

Please note:

If a word is spelt differently within these two dictionaries APA style prefers to follow the spelling of the APA Dictionary of Psychology

For further information please see section 6.11, Spelling, of the Publication manual of the American Psychological Association : the official guide to APA style. (Seventh edition.). (2020). American Psychological Association.