Rancor or Rancour: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-04 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: Both rancor and rancour are correct spellings for this word. The difference lies entirely in regional preference. American English uses rancor without the u, while British English prefers rancour with the u. Choose the version that matches your audience.

The Short Answer

Both spellings are acceptable, but rancor is the standard in the United States, while rancour is standard in the United Kingdom and most other English-speaking countries.

People often confuse these forms because they sound identical and share the same Latin origin. The extra u in rancour follows a common pattern in British spelling for words ending in or, causing unnecessary hesitation for writers aiming for a specific locale.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
Rancor	Standard US	Writing for an American audience or US-based publications
Rancour	Standard UK	Writing for British, Australian, or international audiences
Part of Speech	Noun	Describing bitter resentment or ill will
Pronunciation	Identical	Speaking aloud in any English dialect

Correct Example Sentences

The rancor between the two neighbors lasted for over a decade.
She tried to hide the rancor in her voice during the meeting.
Political rancor often prevents sensible legislation from passing.
He spoke with a tone of deep rancour toward the old policy.
The rancour felt in the room was palpable and uncomfortable.
Years of rancor can destroy even the strongest friendships.
We must not let rancor cloud our judgment in this dispute.
His eyes reflected the bitter rancour he had kept hidden.
The treaty was signed despite the lingering rancor between the leaders.
Public rancour over the tax increase led to widespread protests.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

There was rancour in the American newspaper article.: There was rancor in the American newspaper article.
The British editor corrected the rancor to rancour.: The British editor corrected the rancor to rancour.
He felt rancor towards his coworker in the London office.: He felt rancour towards his coworker in the London office.
The rancour of the crowd was loud and clear.: The rancor of the crowd was loud and clear.
She hid her rancor behind a smile in New York.: She hid her rancor behind a smile in New York.
The rancor in the UK parliament was evident.: The rancour in the UK parliament was evident.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Check your target audience's location before you finalize the spelling. If you are writing for readers in the United States, drop the u to match local conventions. For readers in the UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, keep the u to align with their standard expectations.

Related Word Pairs

Color vs Colour: Use color for US writing and colour for UK writing.
Honor vs Honour: Use honor in American English and honour in British English.
Labor vs Labour: Use labor for US contexts and labour for UK contexts.
Meter vs Metre: Use meter for measurement devices and metre for length in UK.
Defense vs Defence: Use defense in the US and defence in the UK.

More Example Sentences

The lingering rancor between the siblings made family dinners awkward.
She chose to let go of her rancor and move forward with grace.
The team struggled to collaborate after months of internal rancor.
His rancor toward the decision was evident in his sharp comments.
There was a palpable rancor in the air during the debate.
Forgiveness is the best antidote to deep-seated rancor.
The rancor displayed by the fans surprised the coaching staff.
We should not allow petty rancor to derail our progress.
Her voice betrayed the rancor she tried to suppress.
The rancor from the previous election still affects local politics.

Quick Practice

The between the two companies led to a costly lawsuit.

rancor

He felt a deep toward his former mentor for the betrayal.

rancor

Try to leave the behind when you start this new job.

rancor

The in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

rancor

Years of can erode trust very quickly.

rancor

She refused to let dictate her response to the insult.

rancor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rancor a real word?

Yes, rancor is a standard English noun meaning bitter resentment. It is widely accepted in American dictionaries and style guides as the correct spelling for US English contexts.

Can I use rancour in American English?

While technically understood, using rancour in American English may look like a typo to local readers. It is best to stick with rancor to maintain consistency with US publishing standards.

Does rancor mean the same as anger?

Rancor implies a deeper, lingering bitterness or ill will, whereas anger is often a more immediate and intense emotional reaction. Rancor suggests long-standing resentment between parties.

Which spelling do major dictionaries prefer?

American dictionaries like Merriam-Webster list rancor as the primary entry, while British dictionaries like Oxford list rancour first. Both recognize the other variant as a regional alternative.