Airplane vs. Aeroplane – How to Use Each Correctly
What’s the Difference Between Airplane and Aeroplane?
Contents
Airplane and aeroplane are two words that sound almost, but not exactly, alike. However, their meanings are synonymous.
Airplane is a noun that means a flying machine with fixed wings that is driven by propulsion.
- Flying by airplane is scary to many people but it’s actually safer than traveling by car.
Aeroplane has the same meaning of airplane, but it is more popular in British English.
- He is in school to learn how to fly an aeroplane.
Let’s look at the usage of these two words.
Using Airplane in a Sentence
When to use airplane: This noun is common when describing the most common means of air travel. Similar words include aircraft, plane, jet, airliner and airbus. Most people consider other means of air travel, such as helicopters, as distinct from airplanes. Airplane most often refers to an aircraft with passengers traveling, whereas jet is more common in military contexts.
For example,
- Babies often cry on airplanes because they have trouble regulating the varying air pressure.
- Airplanes are faster than cars but also less convenient.
Interestingly, the first plane was invented in the year 1903 by the Wright brothers in America. However, the word airplane predates that by a little over 15 years. It comes from the French word aeroplane, which in turn came from the Greek word for air and the Latin word for plane. Initially airplane referred only to the wing of a plane, since it was a plane (flat field) that moves through the air. Once the Wright brothers had invented the flying machine, airplane began to be used to mean the whole machine, not only the wing.
Using Aeroplane in a Sentence
When to use aeroplane: Aeroplane has the exact same meaning as airplane, and both words originated at roughly the same time. Aeroplane came first, from a French sculptor and inventor, in the year 1855. Airplane followed roughly 20 years later. The major difference between these two words is that aeroplane is favored in British English.
For example,
- She boarded the aeroplane to London at 8:30 in the morning.
- The aeroplane is delayed in Dublin due to engine trouble.
Although aeroplane is more popular than airplane in British English, airplane has become more and more popular in recent years in Britain. Aeroplane now has only a narrow lead in usage over airplane.
Remembering Airplane vs. Aeroplane
One way to help you remember to use aeroplane for British English and airplane for American English is to think of the spelling traditions of both Great Britain and America. Great Britain has a history of preserving the original spelling of loanwords from other languages. In the case of aeroplane, that means preserving the aer spelling of air from Greek. America, on the other hand, sought to distance itself from Britain during the time it sought independence from the English. Therefore, American people chose to make spelling more intuitive by removing silent letters and trying to make new words have greater conformity in spelling.
Alternatively, you could remember that aeroplane has an additional e, to represent that this form of the word is more popular in England, since England also starts with an e.
Outside Examples
- Both airplanes and books have the ability to take people on journeys. Now with the help of Read On the Fly, children can take flights of fancy while ascending into the clouds to cruise at thousands of feet. –Houston Chronicle
- So the center’s Thursday was spent collecting some belongings from his home, jumping on an airplane to Columbus and getting settled into the Ducks’ hotel. –OC Register
- Aeroplane seats are shrinking – but how small can they go? –The Guardian
- A half-aeroplane, half-eel creation has been named Japan’s favourite mascot following a vote in which hundreds of thousands of people took part. –BBC News
Quiz: Airplane vs. Aeroplane
Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct word, either airplane or aeroplane.
- You must arrive to the airport early to board the _____________. (American preferred spelling)
- Passengers are only allowed to bring one carry on item onto the _____________. (British preferred spelling)
- Nowadays, ________________ functions are largely automatic, and the pilot only takes over when those systems fail. (American preferred spelling)
See answers below.
Article Summary
Should I use airplane or aeroplane? These words have the same meaning, and sound almost exactly the same. There is only one small difference.
- Airplane is the spelling preferred in American English, and it has only two syllables.
- Aeroplane is the preferred spelling in British English, and it has three syllables.
Remember to change the spelling of the word based on whether you are writing for a primarily American or British audience.
Answers
- airplane
- aeroplane
- airplane