How Do You Spell Hospital?

  • Eseandre Mordi

  • 14 Feb 2024

In the English language, where words can often be spelled in various ways, knowing the correct spelling for commonly used terms is paramount. This article aims to address how you spell "hospital" correctly, alongside providing insights into its correct usage, common misspellings, and origin.

Correct Spelling of Hospital

The correct spelling of the word is hospital. It is a common noun that identifies an institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people. Remembering the correct spelling is crucial for clear communication, especially in professional and educational settings.

How to Remember the Correct Spelling

One technique to remember the correct spelling of "hospital" is by breaking it down into sounds: hos-pi-tal. Associating the word with a visual image of a hospital or creating a mnemonic can also aid in retention. For example, "Helping Others, Staying Positive, Inspiring Trust And Love."

Common Spelling Mistakes

  • Hospitol - Incorrect because the correct spelling ends with "al," not "ol."
  • Hospitale - Adding an "e" at the end is a mistake as the correct spelling is without it.
  • Hostpital - This is a common typo due to the misplacement of the letters "s" and "t."

These errors often arise from phonetic misunderstandings or typos. Recognizing them can help in improving spelling accuracy.

Definition and Etymology of Hospital

The word hospital refers to an establishment for the care and treatment of the physically or mentally ill. Its origins can be traced back to Medieval Latin 'hospitale' meaning "guesthouse, inn," a derivative of 'hospes,' which stands for "guest" or "host." Over centuries, the meaning evolved to its current context. The transition from a place offering hospitality to one devoted to healthcare reflects the historical emphasis on care and shelter.

Transcription of Hospital

For those learning English or looking to enhance their pronunciation, the standard phonetic transcription of hospital is /ˈhɒspɪtəl/ in British English and /ˈhɑːspɪtəl/ in American English. Understanding the phonetic spelling can help in improving pronunciation and comprehension skills.

Examples of Using Hospital

  • After the accident, they rushed him to the nearest hospital.
  • She volunteered at the local hospital every weekend.
  • The hospital staff worked tirelessly to care for the influx of patients.

These examples showcase the word being used in various sentences, reflecting its role in health and medical contexts.

FAQ

What does the word mean? 
An institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people.

Words Closely Related: clinic, medical center, infirmary.

Synonyms: medical facility, healthcare institution, medical center.

Differences in American and British Versions

While the spelling of hospital remains the same in both American and British English, pronunciation differs slightly. The American English pronunciation starts with /ˈhɑ:spɪtl/, whereas the British English pronunciation begins with /ˈhɒspɪtəl/. These differences highlight the variation in accent and pronunciation standards between the two versions of English.

Find This Word in Academic Dictionaries

  1. Oxford English Dictionary.
  2. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
  3. Cambridge Dictionary.


#Hospital #Spelling #EnglishLanguage #GrammarRules #Pronunciation #Etymology