Barrelled vs. Barreled — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 20, 2024
"Barrelled" is the British English spelling of the past participle form of "barrel," used to describe actions involving barrels, while "barreled" is the American English spelling.
Difference Between Barrelled and Barreled
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Key Differences
Barrelled, following British English spelling conventions, uses double 'l' in its past and past participle forms, such as in "barrelled down the road." Whereas, barreled adheres to American English rules, which typically use a single 'l' in similar verb forms, as seen in "barreled past the competition."
When it comes to pronunciation, both "barrelled" and "barreled" are pronounced the same way, despite their spelling differences. On the other hand, the choice between these spellings can indicate the writer's adherence to either American or British writing standards.
In literature and formal writing, "barrelled" might appear in texts originating from countries that follow British English standards, including the UK, Australia, and Canada. Conversely, "barreled" is predominantly found in American texts, reflecting the spelling norms of the United States.
The context in which "barrelled" and "barreled" are used does not change based on spelling; both terms describe the action of moving fast or being forced into a space, as in a bullet being barreled into a gun chamber. However, the regional spelling preference will dictate the choice of term in written documents.
Despite the spelling differences, "barrelled" and "barreled" share the same verb tenses and grammatical usage, making them interchangeable in terms of meaning and function in a sentence. The primary distinction remains the regional preference for spelling.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
Uses double 'l'.
Uses single 'l'.
Regional Usage
Preferred in British English.
Preferred in American English.
Pronunciation
Pronounced the same as "barreled".
Pronounced the same as "barrelled".
Example of Use
"He barrelled through the doors."
"She barreled down the highway."
Writing Standards
Common in UK, Australia, Canada.
Common in the United States.
Compare with Definitions
Barrelled
Moved fast and uncontrollably.
The car barrelled down the hill.
Barreled
Moved rapidly and often recklessly.
She barreled through the marketplace.
Barrelled
Forced into a narrow space.
The clothes were barrelled into the suitcase.
Barreled
Produced en masse within a short period.
The plant barreled through the orders during the holiday rush.
Barrelled
Driven or thrust forward.
He barrelled through the crowd.
Barreled
Packed or stored in a barrel.
They barreled up the old wine.
Barrelled
Produced rapidly and in large quantities.
The factory barrelled out products before the deadline.
Barreled
Squeezed or forced into a confined area.
He barreled the gifts into the trunk of his car.
Barrelled
Packed or loaded into a barrel.
They barrelled the beer after fermentation.
Barreled
Pushed forward forcefully.
The running back barreled past the defenders.
Barrelled
A large cylindrical container, usually made of staves bound together with hoops, with a flat top and bottom of equal diameter.
Barreled
A large cylindrical container, usually made of staves bound together with hoops, with a flat top and bottom of equal diameter.
Barrelled
The quantity that a barrel with a given or standard capacity will hold.
Barreled
The quantity that a barrel with a given or standard capacity will hold.
Barrelled
Abbr. bar. or bbl. or bl. Any of various units of volume or capacity. In the US Customary System it varies, as a liquid measure, from 31 to 42 gallons (117 to 159 liters) as established by law or usage.
Barreled
Abbr. bar. or bbl. or bl. Any of various units of volume or capacity. In the US Customary System it varies, as a liquid measure, from 31 to 42 gallons (117 to 159 liters) as established by law or usage.
Barrelled
The thicker portion of a baseball bat, from which the most powerful hits are struck.
Barreled
The thicker portion of a baseball bat, from which the most powerful hits are struck.
Barrelled
The cylindrical part of a firearm through which the bullet travels.
Barreled
The cylindrical part of a firearm through which the bullet travels.
Barrelled
A cylinder that contains a movable piston.
Barreled
A cylinder that contains a movable piston.
Barrelled
The drum of a capstan.
Barreled
The drum of a capstan.
Barrelled
The cylinder within the mechanism of a timepiece that contains the mainspring.
Barreled
The cylinder within the mechanism of a timepiece that contains the mainspring.
Barrelled
The trunk of a quadruped animal, such as a horse or cow.
Barreled
The trunk of a quadruped animal, such as a horse or cow.
Barrelled
The tubular space inside a wave when it is breaking.
Barreled
The tubular space inside a wave when it is breaking.
Barrelled
(Informal) A large quantity
A barrel of fun.
Barreled
(Informal) A large quantity
A barrel of fun.
Barrelled
(Slang) An act or instance of moving rapidly, often recklessly, in a motor vehicle.
Barreled
(Slang) An act or instance of moving rapidly, often recklessly, in a motor vehicle.
Barrelled
Resembling or similar to a barrel, as in shape
A barrel chest.
Barrel hips.
Barreled
Resembling or similar to a barrel, as in shape
A barrel chest.
Barrel hips.
Barrelled
To put or pack in a barrel.
Barreled
To put or pack in a barrel.
Barrelled
To move or progress rapidly
"That the European Union barreled ahead was not surprising" (Richard W. Stevenson).
Barreled
To move or progress rapidly
"That the European Union barreled ahead was not surprising" (Richard W. Stevenson).
Barrelled
Simple past tense and past participle of barrel
Barreled
Having the specified number of barrels
A four-barreled shotgun
Barrelled
(firearms) Having a barrel or specified number of barrels.
A barrelled action
A double-barrelled shotgun
Barreled
Simple past tense and past participle of barrel
Barrelled
Packed in a barrel.
Barrelled water
Barreled
Having a barrel; - used in composition; as, a double-barreled gun.
Barrelled
Put in or stored in a barrel;
Barreled beer
Barreled
Put in or stored in a barrel; ; as, barreled beer; - opposite of unbarreled.
Barrelled
(of an arrow) tapered toward both ends
Barreled
Tapered toward both ends; - of an arrow.
Barreled
Put in or stored in a barrel;
Barreled beer
Barreled
(of an arrow) tapered toward both ends
Common Curiosities
Can I use "barreled" in formal writing?
Yes, "barreled" is acceptable in formal writing within the United States and in any context following American English conventions.
Does the spelling affect the meaning of "barrelled" and "barreled"?
No, the meaning of the terms does not change with the spelling; the difference is purely orthographic.
Does the choice between "barrelled" and "barreled" impact search engine optimization (SEO)?
Yes, using the spelling familiar to your target audience can improve SEO as it aligns with their likely search terms.
What is the rule for using "barreled" in American English?
American English typically uses a single consonant before a suffix if the stress is not on the last syllable of the root word.
Are there any pronunciation differences between "barrelled" and "barreled"?
No, both terms are pronounced the same way.
Is "barrelled" only used in the UK?
While "barrelled" is common in British English, it is also used in other regions that follow British spelling conventions, like Australia and Canada.
Why does British English use double 'l' in "barrelled"?
British English often retains double consonants before adding suffixes if the stress is on the last syllable of the root word, as in "barrel" becoming "barrelled".
What is the grammatical role of "barrelled" and "barreled" in a sentence?
Both function as the past participle form of the verb "to barrel," used either as a verb or an adjective.
Can the spelling variation affect comprehension in non-native speakers?
While it might cause initial confusion, context usually clarifies the meaning, and both spellings represent the same concept.
Are "barrelled" and "barreled" interchangeable in English translations?
Yes, they can be used interchangeably, but regional spelling preferences should be considered in translations to maintain consistency with other regional spellings.
How can I remember which spelling to use?
Remember that American English often simplifies spellings (e.g., "barreled"), whereas British English retains more complex forms (e.g., "barrelled").
What are some synonyms for "barrelled" and "barreled"?
Synonyms include "bolted," "hurried," "rushed," and "sped."
Which spelling should I use if I am writing for an international audience?
If writing for an international audience, it might be preferable to choose the spelling that aligns with the version of English most familiar to the intended readership.
How should I choose between "barrelled" and "barreled" in academic writing?
Choose based on the regional standards of the academic context or the style guide being followed.
Are there other English verbs that follow similar spelling variations?
Yes, verbs like "travel" become "travelled" in British English and "traveled" in American English.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
