Sanitised vs. Sanitized — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 20, 2024
Sanitised and sanitized are spelling variants; "sanitised" is preferred in British English, while "sanitized" is used in American English.
Difference Between Sanitised and Sanitized
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sanitised is the spelling commonly used in British English, adhering to the general pattern of using 's' in places where American English uses 'z'. Whereas, sanitized follows the American English convention, reflecting a preference for 'z' in verbs that derive from Greek through Latin, similar to 'realize' and 'organize'.
Sanitised often appears in UK publications, and its usage aligns with other British English conventions like 'colour' and 'favour'. On the other hand, sanitized is predominantly seen in American texts and is consistent with the American spelling rules which are influenced by Noah Webster's reforms aimed at simplifying certain British spellings.
In international contexts, such as scientific papers or global agreements, the spelling sanitised might be used when the authors are from British-influenced regions. Conversely, sanitized will be more common in documents originating from the United States or institutions favoring American English norms.
Educational systems in the UK teach the spelling sanitised as part of their curriculum, reinforcing the 's' usage in verbs. Whereas American schools teach the spelling sanitized, supporting the 'z' usage as part of American English standard.
In terms of digital spell-checkers and word processors, the spelling sanitised is flagged as incorrect in settings geared towards American English. On the other hand, sanitized is similarly marked as a mistake in systems set to British English, demonstrating the regional preferences in software localization.
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Comparison Chart
Preferred Region
British English
American English
Common Publications
UK publications
US publications
Education System Teaching
Taught in UK schools
Taught in US schools
Spell-checker Response
Correct in British settings
Correct in American settings
Linguistic Influence
British spelling conventions
American spelling reforms
Compare with Definitions
Sanitised
Sterilized to remove bacteria and viruses.
All medical tools must be sanitised before use.
Sanitized
Sterilized using chemicals or heat.
The laboratory equipment is sanitized after experiments.
Sanitised
Applied metaphorically to describe thorough cleaning.
The new manager sanitised the company’s corrupt practices.
Sanitized
Used metaphorically to describe extensive cleansing.
The audit sanitized the department’s financial records.
Sanitised
Made clean and hygienic.
The restaurant's equipment is thoroughly sanitised every evening.
Sanitized
Made clean and free from germs.
The play area is sanitized daily to ensure safety.
Sanitised
Censored or altered to remove sensitive information.
The leaked document was sanitised before its public release.
Sanitized
Made more acceptable or less offensive.
The news report was sanitized to adhere to broadcasting standards.
Sanitised
Treated to be made more acceptable or palatable.
His speech was sanitised to avoid offending the audience.
Sanitized
Edited to remove objectionable or sensitive content.
The film was sanitized to achieve a lower age rating.
Sanitised
Simple past tense and past participle of sanitise
Sanitized
To make sanitary, as by cleaning or disinfecting.
Sanitised
Made sanitary
Sanitized
To make more acceptable by removing unpleasant or offensive features from
Sanitized the language in adapting the novel for television.
Sanitized
Simple past tense and past participle of sanitize
Sanitized
Made sanitary
Common Curiosities
How should I spell 'sanitized' if I am writing for an international audience?
Choose based on the dominant style of the audience or publication; however, 'sanitized' is often used in scientific and international contexts.
What is the main difference between 'sanitised' and 'sanitized'?
The main difference is regional spelling preference: 'sanitised' in British English and 'sanitized' in American English.
What guides the choice of spelling between 'sanitised' and 'sanitized'?
The choice is guided by regional spelling conventions, with 'sanitised' preferred in British English and 'sanitized' in American English.
Is there a difference in meaning between 'sanitised' and 'sanitized'?
No, both spellings refer to the same process of making something clean and free from germs or offensive content.
Why does American English prefer 'sanitized' over 'sanitised'?
American English often uses 'z' in words where the suffix forms from verbs with a Greek or Latin origin, as influenced by spelling reforms in the 19th century.
How do dictionaries typically handle these variants?
Dictionaries list both variants and may note regional usage preferences.
Do British English writers ever use 'sanitized'?
Rarely, unless they are adhering to American spelling for specific purposes, such as American-targeted publications.
Are there any cases where 'sanitised' is the only correct form?
Not in terms of correctness, but it is the only form in strict British English usage settings.
Can the spelling 'sanitised' be used in American documents?
It can be used, but it is typically marked as incorrect in American English settings.
Are both 'sanitised' and 'sanitized' accepted in global English?
Yes, both forms are accepted and understood globally, though each may be preferred in different regions.
Can using 'sanitised' in an American publication affect readability?
It might confuse some readers or appear as a spelling error, but generally, it does not significantly impact readability.
Is the meaning of 'sanitised' in tech contexts different from 'sanitized'?
In technical contexts, both terms can mean removing sensitive data from information before it is shared or published, with no difference in meaning.
What should I use in software development when coding for international use?
Prefer the variant that matches the language setting of the software or the primary audience's region.
Which spelling should I use in academic writing?
Use the spelling that conforms to the style guide of your academic field or the preference of the publication.
Does the spelling change the pronunciation of 'sanitised/sanitized'?
No, both variants are pronounced the same way.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
