Neighbour vs Neighbor: English Grammar Explained(2026)

Hey, I want to share something that happened to me recently involving Neighbour or Neighbor.

I was chatting with a friend when this word suddenly came up, and honestly, I had no idea which spelling was correct.

For a moment, I thought, “Am I missing something here?” — it was confusing, and I didn’t want to reply the wrong way or sound clueless.

So, I decided to look into Neighbour or Neighbor to understand the proper spelling and usage.

Once I figured it out, everything made sense, and I realized how useful it is to know these little differences to avoid awkward moments in conversations.

Now, whenever I see Neighbour or Neighbor in chats or on social media, I feel confident using the right version.

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Neighbour or Neighbor – Quick Answer

Both neighbour and neighbor are correct spellings.

• Neighbour is used in British English
• Neighbor is used in American English

Examples:

• UK: My neighbour invited me for tea.
• US: My neighbor invited me over.

The meaning is the same in both cases.

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The Origin of Neighbour or Neighbor

The word comes from Old English “nēahgebūr”, meaning “near-dweller.” Over time, English spelling evolved differently in different regions.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, American English began simplifying spellings. Noah Webster, an American lexicographer, removed extra letters to make words easier to spell. This is why “neighbour” became “neighbor” in the United States.

British English kept the original -our ending, while American English preferred -or.

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British English vs American English Spelling

The difference follows a clear spelling pattern.

British English	American English
neighbour	neighbor
colour	color
favour	favor
honour	honor

Rule:

• British English keeps -our
• American English drops the u

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Which Spelling Should You Use?

Choose based on your audience:

• US audience: Use neighbor
• UK audience: Use neighbour
• Canada, Australia, New Zealand: Use neighbour
• Global or mixed audience: Pick one style and stay consistent

Consistency matters more than the spelling itself.

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Common Mistakes with Neighbour or Neighbor

Here are frequent errors:

• ❌ Mixing both spellings in one article
• ❌ Using “neighboor” (double “o”)
• ❌ Letting spellcheck change styles mid-text

Correct approach:
Decide your English version first, then stick to it.

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Neighbour or Neighbor in Everyday Examples

Emails:

• I spoke to my neighbour about the noise.
• My neighbor reported the issue.

News:

• A neighbour helped save the family.
• A neighbor called emergency services.

Social Media:

• Best neighbour ever!
• Shoutout to my awesome neighbor.

Formal Writing:

• Community neighbour relations are improving.
• The neighbor agreement was signed.

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Neighbour or Neighbor – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search data shows clear regional preferences:

• United States: “neighbor” dominates
• United Kingdom: “neighbour” dominates
• Canada & Australia: “neighbour” preferred
• Global searches: Both are common

Usage depends more on location than meaning.

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Keyword Variations Comparison Table

Variation	Region Used	Correct
neighbour	UK, Canada, Australia	✅
neighbor	United States	✅
neighboor	None	❌
neighber	None	❌

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FAQs

1. Is neighbour or neighbor correct?
Both are correct depending on English style.

2. Which spelling is older?
“Neighbour” is the original spelling.

3. Can I use both in one article?
No, choose one and stay consistent.

4. Which spelling does Google prefer?
Google shows results based on user location.

5. Is neighbor American English only?
Yes, it is standard in American English.

6. What about Canada?
Canada uses British spelling: neighbour.

7. Does meaning change with spelling?
No, the meaning stays the same.

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Conclusion

The confusion between neighbour or neighbor comes from the difference between British and American English, not from meaning or correctness. Both spellings describe the same thing: a person who lives near you. The key is understanding where each spelling is used and who you are writing for.

If your audience is in the United States, neighbor is the right choice. If you write for the UK, Canada, or Australia, neighbour is the better option. For global content, consistency is more important than the version you choose. Mixing spellings can confuse readers and reduce credibility.

By learning the origin, spelling rules, common mistakes, and real-world usage, you can now use this word with confidence. Whether you are writing an email, blog post, or professional document, you know exactly which spelling fits best. Simple rules, clear choice, no confusion.