If you are choosing between signalled and signaled, both spellings are correct. The difference is regional: signalled is the standard British English form, while signaled is the standard American English form.
The same pattern applies to the -ing form. British English uses signalling, while American English uses signaling. The meaning stays the same, so your choice should depend on the variety of English you are writing.
Quick Answer
Signalled and signaled are both correct spellings of the past tense and past participle of signal.
- British English: signalled
- American English: signaled
- British English: signalling
- American English: signaling
For example:
British: The driver signalled before turning.
American: The driver signaled before turning.
Neither spelling is wrong.
Signalled or Signaled: What’s the Difference?
The difference is simply a matter of British and American spelling conventions.
The base verb is signal. When it takes -ed or -ing, British English commonly doubles the final l, while American English usually keeps one l.
| Verb form | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Base form | signal | signal |
| Past tense | signalled | signaled |
| Past participle | signalled | signaled |
| Present participle | signalling | signaling |
This is a spelling difference, not a difference in meaning.
The same pattern appears in words such as labelled/labeled, travelled/traveled, and cancelled/canceled.
What Do Signalled and Signaled Mean?
Signalled and signaled mean indicated, communicated, showed, or gave a sign.
The verb signal can describe communication through a gesture, sound, light, movement, or other sign.
For example:
She signalled for help.
This means that she used a sign or gesture to communicate that she needed help.
The American spelling is:
She signaled for help.
The meaning is unchanged.
Another example is:
The warning light signalled a problem.
Here, the light indicated that something might be wrong.
Signalled or Signaled in a Sentence
Both forms fit the same sentence structures. The only change is the spelling.
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| The driver signalled before turning. | The driver signaled before turning. |
| She signalled that she was ready. | She signaled that she was ready. |
| The light signalled danger. | The light signaled danger. |
| The referee signalled the end of the game. | The referee signaled the end of the game. |
You can also use the word in business or formal writing:
The latest figures signalled a change in demand.
Here, signalled means indicated or showed.
In American English:
The latest figures signaled a change in demand.
Signalling or Signaling?
The present participle follows the same British-American spelling pattern.
Signalling is the British English form, while signaling is the American English form.
For example:
British: The driver was signalling before the turn.
American: The driver was signaling before the turn.
A simple way to remember the forms is:
British English: signal → signalled → signalling
American English: signal → signaled → signaling
If you are following one variety of English, keep the same spelling style throughout your writing.
Signalled and Signaled Synonyms
Because signalled and signaled have the same meaning, they share the same common synonyms.
Depending on the context, you can use:
- indicated
- showed
- communicated
- alerted
- conveyed
- expressed
- notified
- gestured
- signified
For example:
The results signalled a major change.
You could also write:
The results indicated a major change.
However, synonyms are not always interchangeable. Gestured, for example, works best when someone communicates through a physical movement.
Signal Definition in Communication
A signal is something that communicates information, a warning, an instruction, or an intention.
A signal does not have to use words. A hand gesture, traffic light, warning sound, or facial movement can communicate a message.
For example:
He waved to signal that he had seen us.
Here, the wave acts as a form of communication.
As a verb, signal means to communicate or indicate something through a sign, action, sound, or other form of communication.
How Do You Pronounce Signalled and Signaled?
Signalled and signaled have essentially the same pronunciation. The extra l in the British spelling does not add another syllable.
The American spelling signaled is pronounced in the same basic way.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Choose the spelling that matches your audience or the style guide you follow.
British English
Use signalled and signalling when writing in British English.
The report signalled a change in policy.
American English
Use signaled and signaling when writing in American English.
The report signaled a change in policy.
If you write for an international website, either form is understandable. However, consistency matters. If the rest of your content follows British spelling, signalled will fit naturally. If you use American spelling, choose signaled.
This is especially useful in professional writing, academic work, websites, and publications where a consistent style makes the content look polished.
Common Mistake to Avoid
A common mistake is assuming that signalled or signaled is universally correct.
Neither spelling is wrong. The issue is simply which English variety you are following.
Another mistake is mixing the related forms:
British: signalled, signalling
American: signaled, signaling
Avoid switching between these forms randomly within the same piece of writing. Following one spelling system makes your writing more consistent and easier to edit.
FAQs
1. Which is correct, “signalling” or “signaling”?
Both are correct. Signalling is the standard British English spelling, while signaling is the standard American English spelling.
2. Is it “signaled” or “signalled”?
Both are correct. Signaled is the usual American English spelling, while signalled is the usual British English spelling.
3. What does signalled mean?
Signalled means indicated, communicated, showed, or gave a sign. It is the British English past tense and past participle of signal.
4. What does signaled mean?
Signaled has the same meaning as signalled. It is the American English spelling of the past tense and past participle of signal.
5. What is the past tense of signal?
The past tense is signalled in British English and signaled in American English.
6. How do you spell “signaling” in the US?
American English spells it signaling, with one l.
7. How do you spell “signaling” in British English?
British English spells it signalling, with two l’s.
8. Is signalling spelled with one L or two?
Signalling is spelled with two l’s in British English. The American form is signaling, with one l.
9. How do you pronounce signalled?
Signalled is generally pronounced SIG-nuhld. It has essentially the same pronunciation as signaled.
10. How do you pronounce signaled?
Signaled is generally pronounced SIG-nuhld, the same basic way as signalled.
Conclusion
Signalled and signaled are both correct spellings of the past tense and past participle of signal. The difference comes from regional spelling conventions: British English uses signalled, while American English uses signaled.
The same pattern applies to signalling and signaling. If you are writing for a British audience, choose the double-L forms. For an American audience, use the single-L forms.
Both versions have the same meaning and essentially the same pronunciation, so the key is to choose one style and use it consistently.
