Rancor vs. Rancour – What’s the Difference?

Rancor vs. Rancour often leaves new readers scratching their heads, as both forms look strange at first glance yet point to the same long-lasting bitterness or resentment. Many language learners often stumble over such subtle spelling differences, especially since the pair isn’t separate words with unique meanings but rather simply variations of one term. The truth is quite straightforward: the only distinction lies in geography. Americans spell it rancor, while the British and Commonwealth countries use rancour.

With time, I managed to untangle this mystery and settle my doubts. Both forms denote the same bitter sense of ill-will, but the chosen variant often reflects a preferred American or British style. In the American setting, rancor is predominantly used, while in a British instance, rancour appears in context, even by well-known critics. Ultimately, usage depends on your audience, their dialect, and individual preference.

What Do ‘Rancor’ and ‘Rancour’ Mean?

At its core, both rancor and rancour describe deep-seated resentment or bitterness that lingers over time. It isn’t just fleeting anger. Instead, it’s a sustained hostility that people carry, often after feeling wronged.

• Definition: A strong and enduring feeling of hatred or bitterness.
• Synonyms: hostility, spite, malice, animosity, ill will.
• Tone: Formal, literary, and emotional.

For example:

• She spoke with rancor after years of betrayal.
• His voice carried the rancour of old disputes left unresolved.

Notice how the word implies something festering beneath the surface– not just temporary annoyance but a bitterness that poisons relationships.

Quick fact: Dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary both confirm the same meaning, but they list rancor as the American spelling and rancour as the British.

Origins and Etymology

The word’s history stretches back centuries, and its journey explains why the spelling diverged.

• Latin beginnings: The word comes from rancorem, meaning “rancidness, a stinking smell, or bitterness.”
• Old French: It evolved into rancor, keeping the sense of bitterness and hostility.
• Middle English: English borrowed it as rancor around the 13th century.

So, where does the extra u in rancour come from? That’s thanks to French spelling conventions that heavily influenced British English after the Norman Conquest. Over time, British scribes adopted our endings (honour, favour, rancour), while American reformers simplified them to -or.

Etymology timeline:

Era	Language	Word Form	Meaning
Latin (c. 5th century)	rancorem	bitterness, rancid smell
Old French (11th century)	rancor	deep resentment
Middle English (13th century)	rancor	bitterness, hatred
British English (14th–15th century)	rancour	bitterness, resentment
American English (19th century)	rancor	bitterness, resentment

Historical Background and Evolution of Usage

Language didn’t split overnight. For centuries, spelling was inconsistent across Britain. You could find rancor and rancour in the same texts. It wasn’t until the 18th and 19th centuries that spelling became standardized.

Influence of Noah Webster

American lexicographer Noah Webster spearheaded spelling reforms in the early 1800s. He argued that English spelling should be:

• Simpler: Remove unnecessary letters like the “u” in colour or rancour.
• Logical: Spell words the way they’re pronounced.
• Distinctive: Give Americans their own version of English.

This push for linguistic independence explains why Americans dropped the “u.”

British Resistance

Meanwhile, Britain held onto the French-influenced our spellings, viewing them as refined and traditional. As the British Empire expanded, its spelling conventions spread across Canada, Australia, India, and Africa.

Case Study – Literature:

• Shakespeare used rancor in the 16th century.
• By the 18th century, British writers like Samuel Johnson promoted rancour.
• American writers like Mark Twain stuck to rancor.

The spelling split reflects deeper cultural differences: innovation versus tradition.

Rancor vs. Rancour: Regional Usage

The meaning stays identical, but spelling depends entirely on geography.

American English Preference

In the United States:

• Only rancor is correct.
• Using rancour would appear as a typo in American publications.
• Found in all major American style guides: AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style, and MLA.

British English Preference

In the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries:

• Only rancour is correct.
• Rancor looks American and might feel out of place in formal British texts.

Global Recognition

Most educated readers recognize both. If you’re writing internationally, choose the form that fits your audience or style guide.

Examples in Context

Seeing words in action helps you remember them better.

American English (Rancor):

• The political debate was filled with rancor.
• He left the meeting with no rancor, despite losing the vote.

British English (Rancour):

• The rancour between the two rivals never faded.
• Decades of rancour shaped the negotiations.

Literary Example:

• Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet): “And in my temper soften’d valour’s steel!” (he used rancor in early editions).
• 19th-century British texts consistently show rancour.

Why Do Spelling Differences Matter?

At first glance, spelling variations may seem minor. But they matter for three big reasons:

1. Academic precision
   • Using the wrong spelling in an exam or academic paper may cost marks.
   • Example: British universities expect rancour.
2. Professional writing
   • Businesses and publishers follow style guides.
   • Submitting an American manuscript with British spelling looks unpolished.
3. Cultural identity
   • Spelling connects to national pride.
   • Honor vs. honour sparked debates during American independence.

Quote from Noah Webster (1828):
“The alteration of some of our words may be deemed an improvement; the omission of the u in honor, labor, etc., is an advantage.”

Even today, your spelling choice signals whether you align with American modernity or British tradition.

Related Words and Commonly Confused Spellings

The rancor vs. rancour debate is part of a bigger pattern:

Common -or vs. -our differences:

Word	American English	British English	Meaning
Rancor	Rancor	Rancour	Bitterness, resentment
Honor	Honor	Honour	Respect, recognition
Color	Color	Colour	Hue, shade
Tumor	Tumor	Tumour	Abnormal growth
Flavor	Flavor	Flavour	Taste
Labor	Labor	Labour	Work, effort

Other related words worth noting:

• Ardor vs. Ardour
• Valor vs. Valour
• Savior vs. Saviour

The pattern stays consistent: American = -or, British = -our.

Quick Comparison Table

For clarity, here’s a direct comparison between the two spellings.

Feature	Rancor	Rancour
Language	American English	British English
Meaning	Deep-seated bitterness or resentment	Same meaning
Origin	Latin rancorem → Old French rancor	Same, with French -our influence
Usage	USA, recognized globally	UK, Canada, Australia, Commonwealth
Perception	Simpler, modern, American identity	Traditional, formal, British identity

Final Thoughts

Spelling differences like rancor vs. rancour may look trivial, but they represent centuries of history, cultural identity, and evolving language. Both spellings carry the same meaning- deep, enduring bitterness- but the choice between them depends on where you are and who you’re writing for. Americans use rancor without exception, while the British and Commonwealth nations use rancour.

Understanding this difference isn’t just about memorizing regional quirks. It’s about recognizing how language evolves with society and politics. Noah Webster’s push for simplified American spellings created a written identity that separated the United States from Britain. Meanwhile, British English kept closer ties to French influence, preserving our endings.

In modern writing, knowing whether to use rancor or rancour ensures accuracy, professionalism, and credibility. This matters in exams, business documents, literature, or global communication. Both spellings are correct in their own regions, but consistency is key.

So, the next time you come across this word, you’ll know it’s not about meaning but about geography. Choosing the right form shows respect for your audience, attention to detail, and mastery of English nuances. That’s what sets clear, confident writing apart.

FAQs

Is rancor the same as rancour?

Yes. Rancor and rancour mean the same thing: deep, long-lasting bitterness or resentment. The only difference lies in spelling- Americans use rancor, while British and Commonwealth countries use rancour. Both are correct depending on your audience and region.

Why does British English add a “u” in words like rancour?

British English retains the “u” due to French influence from the Norman Conquest. Words like rancour, honour, and colour preserve this spelling. American English, guided by Noah Webster’s reforms, dropped the “u” to simplify words like rancor, honor, and color.

Which is correct: rancor or rancour?

Both are correct, but usage depends on geography. Rancor is correct in American English, while rancour is correct in British English and Commonwealth nations like Canada and Australia. Always match the spelling to your audience or style guide.

Does rancor mean anger or hatred?

Not exactly. Rancor refers to deep, lingering resentment or bitterness, often stronger than temporary anger. It’s closer to hostility that festers over time rather than a sudden burst of rage. Synonyms include malice, animosity, and spite.

Should I use rancor or rancour in academic writing?

Use the spelling consistent with your institution’s or publisher’s guidelines. If you’re in the US, rancor is standard. If you’re in the UK or Commonwealth countries, rancour is expected. Consistency across your writing is more important than which version you choose.