If you are unsure whether to write labor or labour, the answer depends on the variety of English you are using. Labor is the standard spelling in American English, while labour is the standard spelling in British English. Both forms have the same meaning and are used for work, effort, workers, and childbirth. This guide explains the difference, related forms, exceptions, and correct usage.
Quick Answer:
Use labor in American English and labour in British English. Neither spelling is inherently wrong. The difference is regional spelling, not meaning. The two forms are normally pronounced the same.
| Word | Standard Use | Example |
| Labor | American English | The company reduced labor costs. |
| Labour | British English | The company reduced labour costs. |
What Does “Labor” or “Labour” Mean?
Labor/labour can be used as both a noun and a verb.
As a noun, it can mean:
- physical or mental work
- effort or difficult work
- workers considered as a group
- the process of giving birth
Examples:
- The project required a lot of labor.
- The company is facing higher labor costs.
- She went into labor early.
- The workers were rewarded for their hard labor.
As a verb, it can mean to work hard or with difficulty. It can also mean to spend too much time explaining or discussing something.
For example:
The workers labored through the night.
The meaning does not change between labor and labour. Only the spelling changes according to the English variety being used.
Labor vs. Labour: US and UK Spelling
The main difference is simple:
American English: labor
British English: labour
This follows a broader spelling pattern in which many American words use -or where British English uses -our, such as color/colour, favor/favour, and honor/honour.
Choose the spelling that matches your intended audience and keep it consistent throughout your writing.
For example:
- US: labor market
- UK: labour market
- US: child labor
- UK: child labour
- US: manual labor
- UK: manual labour
- US: labor costs
- UK: labour costs
Neither form is a spelling error when it follows the appropriate regional convention.
Related Forms
The same distinction appears in several related words:
| American English | British English |
| labor | labour |
| labored | laboured |
| laboring | labouring |
| laborer | labourer |
For example:
The workers labored for several hours.
The workers laboured for several hours.
Both sentences are correct; the choice depends on the spelling system being used.
Important Exception: “Laborious”
One important exception is laborious.
The correct spelling is laborious in both American and British English. Do not change it to labourious. The same applies to laboriously.
Correct:
The process was laborious.
Incorrect:
The process was labourious.
This is worth remembering because the -our spelling of labour does not carry over to every word from the same root.
Proper Names Keep Their Official Spelling
Official names should not be changed simply to match your preferred spelling style.
For example:
- U.S. Department of Labor
- UK Labour Party
- Australian Labor Party
Notice that the Australian political party uses Labor, even though Australian English commonly uses labour in ordinary contexts. Official names retain their established spelling.
The same rule applies when you quote an organization, title, document, or source. Keep the original spelling rather than changing it for consistency.
When Should You Use Labor or Labour?
Use labor when writing in American English, including US-focused:
- academic writing
- business content
- legal writing
- medical writing
- news and general communication
Use labour when following British English conventions.
The most important rule is consistency. If you begin an article using American spelling, do not switch randomly to British spelling later.
For a US audience:
The company reduced labor costs.
For a British English audience:
The company reduced labour costs.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Treating “labour” as always wrong
It is not wrong. It is the standard British spelling.
Mistake 2: Treating “labor” as always wrong
It is not wrong either. It is the standard American spelling.
Mistake 3: Writing “labourious”
This form is incorrect. The correct spelling is laborious in both major varieties of English.
Mistake 4: Changing official names
Do not rewrite U.S. Department of Labor as U.S. Department of Labour or Australian Labor Party as Australian Labour Party.
Six Examples of Labor and Labour
- US: The company is trying to reduce labor costs.
- UK: The company is trying to reduce labour costs.
- US: She went into labor earlier than expected.
- UK: She went into labour earlier than expected.
- US: The workers labored through the night.
- UK: The workers laboured through the night.
Memory Trick
Remember:
US = Labor
UK = Labour
Think of the British spelling as keeping the u in labour, just as it does in colour and honour.
But remember the exception:
laborious — no u in either variety.
Mini Quiz
1. Which spelling is standard in American English?
A. Labour
B. Labor
C. Laboure
D. Labbor
2. Which spelling is standard in British English?
A. Labor
B. Labour
C. Laber
D. Laboure
3. Which sentence is correct for US English?
A. The company reduced labour costs.
B. The company reduced labor costs.
4. Which spelling is correct in both American and British English?
A. Labourious
B. Laborious
C. Laboures
D. Labourous
5. What should you do with an official name?
A. Change it to US spelling
B. Change it to UK spelling
C. Keep its official spelling
D. Remove the u
Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-C
FAQs
Is labor or labour correct in American English?
Labor is the standard spelling in American English. Labour is the British spelling. If you are writing for a US audience, use labor in ordinary words and phrases such as labor costs, labor market, child labor, and manual labor.
Is labour a misspelling of labor?
No. Labour is the standard spelling in British English, so it is not a misspelling. The difference between labor and labour is mainly regional. American English generally uses -or, while British English retains -our in this word.
Do labor and labour mean the same thing?
Yes. They have the same core meanings, including work, effort, workers as a group, and the process of childbirth. They can also function as verbs. The spelling changes according to whether the writer is following American or British English conventions.
Is “labourious” correct in British English?
No. Laborious is the correct spelling in both American and British English. Although British English uses labour, the related adjective does not become labourious. The same applies to laboriously.
Key Takeaways
- Labor is standard in American English.
- Labour is standard in British English.
- Both forms have the same meaning.
- Related forms include labored/laboured and laboring/labouring.
- Laborious is spelled without u in both varieties.
- Official names should keep their original spelling.
- Match the spelling to your audience and stay consistent.
Conclusion
The correct choice depends on the English variety you are using. Labor is the standard American spelling, while labour is the standard British spelling. Both mean the same thing, so neither is universally “more correct.”
Use the form that matches your audience, keep related spellings consistent, and remember that laborious keeps its -or- spelling in both varieties.
Bryan Garner an experienced English language writer specializing in grammar, usage, word choice, and clear American English. He focuses on making complex language rules simple, accurate, and practical.
William Strunk
Mignon Fogarty