Research Guides: APA Style Guide: Spelling

Spelling

When in doubt about the spelling of a word, consult a reputable dictionary or other reliable source.

Resources for correct spelling:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary is the preferred dictionary for non-specialized terminology in APA papers.
APA Dictionary of Psychology
The APA Dictionary of Psychology is the preferred dictionary for psychology terms in APA papers.
Technology Term Spelling
The APA provides guidelines on preferred spelling of technology terms in APA papers.
Irregular Plurals (Grammarly)
Grammarly provides useful guidance on spelling of irregular plurals in English.
For other specialized spelling, consult a dictionary in your field.

Hyphenation

Prefixes and Suffixes

Most prefixes and suffixes are not hyphenated in APA Style.

Hyphenating Prefixes and Suffixes
APA provides some examples of correct hyphenation of prefixes and suffixes on their website. More can be found in the style guide in table 6.2.

Compound words

Many compound words (words that are composed of two or more words) are always hyphenated: self-esteem, decision-making, by-and-by, etc. Refer to the appropriate dictionary for proper hyphenation of compound words.

Capitalization

APA Style Capitalization

Italics

APA Style Italicization

Abbreviations

Last Updated: Jan 17, 2024 10:39 AM