Appal and appall mean exactly the same thing and sound exactly the same way. The only difference between them is regional spelling convention.
Appall (double l) is standard in American and Canadian English, while appal (single l) is standard in British English and most Commonwealth varieties.
This guide breaks down the difference between appal and appall, what the word means, and how to use it correctly regardless of which spelling you follow.
What Does Appall / Appal Mean?
Appall (or appal) is a verb meaning to shock, horrify, or deeply dismay someone — to cause a strong reaction of disgust, moral outrage, or disbelief. When something appalls you, it strikes you as deeply wrong, offensive, or distressing.
Example: “The graphic footage appalled everyone who watched it.” (= The footage shocked and horrified them — causing a strong negative reaction.)
Appalled in Different Contexts
Synonyms: horrify, shock, dismay, disgust, outrage, revolt, scandalize
Appall vs Appal — The Regional Difference
The spelling difference between appall and appal follows a well-established pattern in how American and British English handle words ending in l.
Appall — American and Canadian English
Appall (double l) is the standard spelling in American and Canadian English. American English consistently uses the double l at the end of this word — matching a broader American preference for doubled consonants in certain positions.
Example: “The graphic nature of the video appalled the entire jury.”
Appal — British and Commonwealth English
Appal (single l) is the standard spelling in British English, Australian English, and most other Commonwealth varieties. British English tends to use a single l at the base word level — though the l doubles when adding suffixes (see below).
Example: “The poor living conditions appalled the visiting inspectors.”
Appall vs Appal Comparison Table
The L-Doubling Pattern — Suffixes Always Double the L
This is one of the most important spelling rules for both appal and appall — regardless of which regional spelling you use as the base word, the l is always doubled when adding suffixes like -ed, -ing, or -ing.
Notice that appalled and appalling are spelled the same way regardless of whether you use appall or appal as your base — because both regional forms double the l before these suffixes.
This follows the same pattern seen in other British English words:
- Travel (British) → travelled, travelling (doubles the l with suffix)
- Appal (British) → appalled, appalling (doubles the l with suffix)
Why Does This Spelling Difference Exist?
The appall / appal split reflects a broader historical pattern in how American and British English diverged in their handling of final consonants.
American English — shaped by spelling reformers like Noah Webster — tended to retain or introduce the doubled final consonant at the base word level for words of this type.
British English — more conservative in some areas — retained the single l at the base while still doubling before suffixes.
This same pattern creates other familiar pairs:
None of these pairs is more correct than the other — they simply reflect different regional conventions that developed over centuries.
When to Use Appall vs Appal
Use “Appall” When:
- Writing for an American or Canadian audience
- Following American style guides (AP, Chicago, etc.)
- Publishing in American English publications or academic journals
Examples:
- “The senator’s remarks appalled civil rights groups across the country.”
- “I was appalled by the lack of basic safety measures at the facility.”
Use “Appal” When:
- Writing for a British, Australian, or Commonwealth audience
- Following British style guides or UK publication standards
- Working in a context where British English spelling is expected
Examples:
- “The charity workers were appalled by what they found.”
- “His behavior during the meeting appalled everyone present.”
The Golden Rule
Pick one spelling and stay consistent throughout your document. Switching between appall and appal within the same piece of writing looks inconsistent — even though both are technically correct. Choose the version that matches your audience and stick with it from start to finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
FAQs — Appal vs Appall
How do Americans spell appal?
In American English, the correct spelling is appall — with a double l. The single-l spelling appal is the British and Commonwealth standard. Both mean the same thing — only the regional spelling convention differs.
Is there a word “appal”?
Yes — appal is a fully recognized English word in British and Commonwealth English. It is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary and Cambridge Dictionary as the standard British spelling of the verb meaning to shock or horrify. It is not a misspelling — it is a legitimate regional variant.
What does it mean to appall someone?
To appall someone means to shock, horrify, or deeply dismay them — to cause a strong reaction of moral outrage, disgust, or disbelief. Example: “The conditions in the facility appalled the inspection team.”
How do you use “appall” in a sentence?
Use appall as a verb to describe something that causes shock or horrified reaction. Examples: “The level of corruption in the report appalled investigators.” / “She was appalled to discover the agreement had been signed without her knowledge.” / “The appalling conditions in the building were immediately reported to authorities.”
Conclusion
Appal and appall are two spellings of the same word — different in form, identical in meaning, pronunciation, and grammatical behavior. Appall is the American and Canadian standard. Appal is the British and Commonwealth standard. Both are correct — your audience determines which to use.
The one consistent rule across both spellings: always double the l before suffixes — giving you appalled, appalling, and appallingly regardless of which regional form you follow. Get that right, choose the appropriate base spelling for your audience, and your writing will always be accurate and regionally consistent.
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