Worshipped or Worshiped? 🤔 The Hidden Truth Explained

“Worshipped” and “worshiped” are both correct.
Use “worshipped” in British English (UK), and use “worshiped” in American English (US).
Both words mean the same thing — they are just different spellings based on region.

Many English learners get confused between “worshipped” and “worshiped.” The two words look almost the same, they sound the same, and they share the same meaning. So why are there two different spellings? The answer is simple: British English and American English follow different spelling rules. This small spelling difference makes many people wonder which form is correct.

In this guide, you will learn the difference between worshipped and worshiped, their meanings, how to use each correctly, and how to avoid common spelling mistakes. You will see simple examples, easy comparisons, and helpful memory tricks. Every explanation is written in clear, friendly language so even a beginner or a 4th-grade student can understand it easily.

By the end, you’ll never mix up these spellings again — and you’ll know exactly which one to use in your writing.


📘 What Does Each Word Mean?

Worshipped or Worshiped

Meaning of “Worshipped”

Part of speech: Verb (past tense / past participle of worship)
Used in: British English (UK)

Meaning: Show deep love, respect, or honor toward a god, person, or thing.

Examples:

  1. The ancient people worshipped many gods.
  2. She worshipped in the old stone church.
  3. They worshipped their leader as a hero.

Meaning of “Worshiped”

Part of speech: Verb (past tense / past participle of worship)
Used in: American English (US)

Meaning: Same as above — express love or honor toward a deity or someone important.

Examples:

  1. The family worshiped together every Sunday.
  2. He worshiped his parents and followed their advice.
  3. People in that village worshiped at sunrise.

Mini Story to Remember

Imagine two schools:

  • The UK School likes longer spellings like colour, travelling, and worshipped (double letters).
  • The US School likes shorter spellings like color, traveling, and worshiped (one “p”).

That’s all you need to remember!


🔍 The Key Difference Between Worshipped and Worshiped

Quick Tip to Remember

  • If you follow British spelling, use worshipped.
  • If you follow American spelling, use worshiped.

Both are correct; the difference is only regional preference.


Comparison Table

FeatureWorshippedWorshiped
RegionBritish English (UK)American English (US)
Spelling RuleDouble consonant before -edSingle consonant before -ed
MeaningSameSame
ExampleThey worshipped quietly.They worshiped quietly.
Correct?✔ Correct (UK)✔ Correct (US)
Worshipped or Worshiped

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

❌ Mistake 1

Incorrect: I worshipped God yesterday (in an American essay).
Correct: I worshiped God yesterday.

Why?
American English prefers the single “p.”


❌ Mistake 2

Incorrect: They worshiped idols for centuries (in British writing).
Correct: They worshipped idols for centuries.

Why?
British English doubles the consonant before adding “-ed.”


❌ Mistake 3

Incorrect: Which one is right: worshipped or worshipped?
Correct: Check spelling — one is US, one is UK.

Why?
People often repeat the same spelling without realizing the second option is “worshiped.”


📌 When to Use “Worshipped” (UK English)

Use worshipped when:

  • You are writing for British readers.
  • You follow UK spelling rules.
  • You are writing for schools, exams, or websites based on British formatting.
  • You want to match words like travelled, cancelled, modelled, etc.

Examples:

  1. The villagers worshipped during the festival.
  2. She said her ancestors worshipped the sun.
  3. They worshipped in silence.
  4. The poet worshipped nature.
  5. Our teachers taught us worshipped is the UK spelling.

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📌 When to Use “Worshiped” (US English)

Use worshiped when:

  • You are writing for an American audience.
  • You follow US spelling rules like traveled, canceled, honored, etc.
  • You want shorter, simplified spellings.

Examples:

  1. The family worshiped together every weekend.
  2. He worshiped heroes from history.
  3. They worshiped at the temple.
  4. She worshiped her grandmother’s kindness.
  5. Students learned that worshiped is the US spelling.

Memory Hack

USA = shorter words
So → worshiped (one “p”).


📚 Quick Recap: Worshipped vs Worshiped

  • Both mean the same thing.
  • Worshipped = British English
  • Worshiped = American English
  • Both are correct — use the spelling that matches your writing style or region.
  • UK likes double letters, US prefers single letters.

🧠 Advanced Tips

Origin

The word worship comes from Old English weorthscipe, meaning “to honor or show worth.”

In Formal Writing

Academic or formal papers follow style guides:

  • APA, MLA, Chicago (US) → use worshiped
  • Oxford, Cambridge (UK) → use worshipped

In Online Writing

Using the wrong spelling for your audience may look like a typo, even though both spellings are correct.


📝 Mini Quiz (with Answers)

Fill in the blanks:

  1. In the UK, people write it as ________.
  2. In the US, people write it as ________.
  3. She ________ at the temple every weekend. (US spelling)
  4. The villagers ________ many gods. (UK spelling)
  5. Both spellings are ________.

Answers:

  1. worshipped
  2. worshiped
  3. worshiped
  4. worshipped
  5. correct

FAQs

1. Which is correct: worshipped or worshiped?

Both are correct; worshipped is British, worshiped is American.

2. Why does British English use double letters?

British spelling follows older spelling patterns that double consonants before adding “-ed.”

3. Do the words have different meanings?

No. Both mean to show love or honor toward a god or someone important.

4. Which spelling should students use?

Use the spelling preferred by your school, teacher, or region.

5. Can I mix both spellings in one article?

Try not to. Choose one style (UK or US) and stay consistent.

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🏁 Conclusion

“Worshipped” and “worshiped” are two spellings of the same word, and both are correct. The only difference is the type of English you follow: British English uses “worshipped,” while American English uses “worshiped.” Once you understand this simple spelling rule, choosing the right form becomes easy.

Use the examples and memory tricks in this guide to help you remember when each spelling fits best. The more you practice, the more natural correct spelling will feel. Keep learning, keep writing, and enjoy improving your English every day!

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