Memorized vs. Memorised — What's the Difference?

"Memorized" is the spelling commonly used in American English to describe the process of committing something to memory, often through repeated exposure or study. This spelling is part of a larger pattern where American English favors the use of "ize" in words where British English uses "ise." On the other hand, "Memorised" follows the British English convention, reflecting the more widespread use of "ise" endings in words of this nature. The difference between the two reflects broader spelling conventions that distinguish American and British English, but does not alter the meaning of the word or its use in sentences.

While "memorized" might be more commonly seen in American textbooks, software, and spell checkers, "memorised" is similarly prevalent in British publications and educational materials. This distinction is purely orthographic and does not extend to pronunciation or usage in speech, where both versions are pronounced similarly.

The choice between "memorized" and "memorised" often depends on the intended audience or the prevailing spelling standards of the region or publication. Writers and speakers tend to choose the version that aligns with their own dialect or the conventions of their target audience.

In educational contexts, students might be taught to use one spelling over the other based on their location. For instance, American schools typically teach "memorized," whereas British, Australian, and other Commonwealth countries might favor "memorised."