Appal or Appall: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: Both appal and appall are correct spellings of the same verb meaning to shock or horrify deeply. The difference lies in regional preference rather than meaning. Americans almost always use the double L, while British writers often accept the single L.

The Short Answer

Both forms are standard, but appall is the dominant spelling in American English, while appal is widely accepted in British English.

Confusion arises because many English words drop a final consonant when adding a suffix, leading some writers to mistakenly simplify appall to appal in all contexts.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
appall	Standard in US	Writing for American audiences or general international publication.
appal	Standard in UK	Writing for British, Australian, or New Zealand readers.
appalled	Past Tense	Describing a state of shock or horror after an event.
appalling	Participle	Describing something that causes shock or disgust.

Correct Example Sentences

The jury was appalled by the evidence presented in court.
It is appalling that such basic safety rules were ignored.
British newspapers often use the single L in appal.
Her reaction to the news was one of sheer appall.
The conditions in the factory were truly appalling.
I was appalled to learn about the corruption scandal.
Few things are as appalling as unnecessary animal cruelty.
The critic stated the performance was nothing short of appall.
Many citizens remain appalled by the recent policy changes.
Consistency matters, so choose appall or appal and stick to it.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

The results were appaling to the researchers.: The results were appalling to the researchers.
She felt appaled by the rude behavior.: She felt appalled by the rude behavior.
It is an appaling waste of resources.: It is an appalling waste of resources.
He could not appal himself into action.: He could not appall himself into action.
The scene was both sad and appaling.: The scene was both sad and appalling.
We were appaled by the lack of support.: We were appalled by the lack of support.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Check your target audience's location before finalizing your document. If you are publishing in the United States, default to the double L spelling. If you are writing for the United Kingdom, the single L is perfectly acceptable, but ensure you remain consistent throughout the entire text.

Related Word Pairs

Advice vs Advise: Advice is the noun; advise is the verb.
Effect vs Affect: Effect is usually the noun; affect is usually the verb.
Loose vs Lose: Loose means not tight; lose means to misplace.
Principal vs Principle: Principal means main or head; principle is a rule.
Stationary vs Stationery: Stationary means not moving; stationery is for writing.

More Example Sentences

The shocking evidence left the committee members utterly appalled.
Witnesses described the scene as truly appalling to behold.
Few people could watch the tragedy without feeling appalled by the violence.
The report highlighted the appalling conditions in the neglected shelter.
Critics were appalled by the director's reckless disregard for safety.
It is appalling that basic hygiene standards were not met.
The audience was appalled by the offensive language in the play.
Environmentalists were appalled by the extent of the pollution.
The scandal was so appalling that it dominated news headlines for weeks.
She felt appalled when she discovered the hidden fees in the contract.

Quick Practice

The jury was by the defendant's lack of remorse.

appalled

Living in such conditions is unacceptable for any child.

appalling

Many residents were to hear about the budget cuts.

appalled

The movie reviewer called the plot twists and illogical.

appalling

We were to learn that the data had been falsified.

appalled

The state of the public park was after the storm.

appalling

Frequently Asked Questions

Is appal a word?

Yes, appal is a valid word primarily used in British English. It means to cause someone to feel shock or horror. American English typically prefers the spelling appall with two Ls.

Which spelling is better for essays?

For US academic papers, use appall. For UK or Commonwealth university assignments, appal is acceptable. Always check your specific style guide, as consistency within the document matters more than the specific choice.

Can I use appalled and appaled?

Yes, both are correct past tense forms. Appalled is the standard American spelling, while appaled is common in the UK. They function identically in sentences describing a shocked state of mind.

Does appal mean the same as appalling?

They share the same root meaning of causing shock, but they function differently. Appall is a verb, while appalling is an adjective. You appall people, but you describe a situation as appalling.