Lable or Label: Which Spelling Is Correct?
Label is the correct spelling — a tag, sticker, or name attached to something. Lable is not a word at all; it is simply a common misspelling of label. If you mean the tag on a jar or the act of naming something, always write label.
For example, “Check the label for ingredients” is correct. “Check the lable for ingredients” is a spelling error. The two letters el at the end trip up many writers.
Quick Answer
| Word | Part of Speech | Main Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Label | Noun / Verb | A tag or sticker; to attach a name or tag | Read the label carefully. |
| Lable | — | Not a word (misspelling of label) | ❌ Never correct |
Simple rule: There is no choice to make — label is always correct, lable is always wrong.
What Does Label Mean?
Label is a noun meaning a piece of paper, sticker, or tag attached to something to identify it. As a verb, it means to attach such a tag or to categorize someone or something.
Examples:
- The label on the bottle lists all the ingredients.
- She peeled the label off the jar.
- Don’t label him as lazy just because he’s quiet.
- The clothing label says “dry clean only.”
- They label every box before moving day.
See label on Merriam-Webster for the full entry, including the verb forms.
What Does Lable Mean?
Lable means nothing — it is not an English word. It appears only as a typo for label, usually because the writer sounds out the ending and guesses the letter order.
Why the confusion? English has many words ending in -le (table, cable, able), so fingers type lable by habit. But label ends in -el, like travel, model, and novel.
If your spellchecker underlines lable in red, it is doing its job: the word does not exist. This is the same kind of clear-cut error as dieing instead of dying — one is a word, the other is not.
Label vs. Lable: Key Differences
| Feature | Label | Lable |
|---|---|---|
| Is it a word? | Yes | No |
| Meaning | Tag; to categorize | — (misspelling) |
| Ending | -el | -le (wrong order) |
| Related forms | Labeled, labeling | None |
| Example | Stick the label on the box. | ❌ Never use |
Notice the related spelling question of labelled vs labeled — that pair is a genuine US/UK choice, while lable is simply wrong in every region.
Examples of Label in Real Sentences
At the Store
Label: “Compare the nutrition labels before you buy.”
The noun label refers to the printed information tag.
At Work
Label: “Please label the folders by year.”
Here label is a verb meaning to mark or categorize.
In Conversation
Label: “I hate it when people label me as shy.”
The verb form also means to unfairly categorize a person.
Common Mistakes With Label
Mistake 1: Typing “Lable” Instead of “Label”
❌ Write your name on the lable.
✅ Write your name on the label.
Why: Lable is not a word. The correct spelling ends in -el.
Mistake 2: “Lable” in Product Text
❌ The lable claims it’s organic.
✅ The label claims it’s organic.
Why: A misspelling on packaging looks unprofessional — always double-check.
Mistake 3: Confusing “-el” and “-le” Endings
❌ modle, travle, lable
✅ model, travel, label
Why: These words end in -el, not -le. When unsure, check a dictionary.
Pronunciation
Label is pronounced /ˈleɪbəl/ (LAY-bul), rhyming with table and cable.
Ironically, it rhymes with the -le words that cause the misspelling in the first place.
How to Remember the Difference
Memory trick: Label ends in EL, just like travel, model, and novel. Group them together in your mind.
- label, travel, model — all end in EL.
- If you write lable, flip the last two letters back: le → el.
Think “EL” for “labEL” and the error disappears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it lable or label?
Always label. Lable is a misspelling and is never correct.
Is “lable” a word in any dictionary?
No. No major dictionary lists lable as a word. It appears only as a recorded misspelling.
Why do people write “lable”?
Because many common words end in -le (table, able, cable), writers guess the same pattern. Label is an exception with -el.
What is the verb form — “labeled” or “labelled”?
Both are correct: labeled is American, labelled is British. But the base word is always label, never lable.
Does “lable” mean anything in another language?
Not in standard English. In French, lable is not a word either (though label exists as a borrowed term). Stick with label.
Conclusion
Label is the only correct spelling — lable is always a mistake. Remember the -el ending (like travel and model), and you will spell it right every time.
