Is it spelled donut or doughnut, which is correct and or used more often?

Answer 1

I say Donut

Answer 2

It can be spelled either way and it will still be correct.

The Oxford English Dictionary lists it as "doughnut" (but also has the subtext that says "also donut").

Check out wikipedia for a very detailed description of the etymology. They basically say that doughnut came first (and is used more often than "donut" outside the US). But they are both used often in the US. Apparently the first printed use of "donut" was in an article that jokes about mis-spelling words.

One more factoid: Two major companies in America use different spellings - Dunkin' Donuts uses the "donut" spelling, while Krispy Kreme uses the "doughnut" spelling.

Answer 3

Washington Irving's reference to "doughnuts" in 1809 in his History of New York is an early printed use of the word. Irving described "balls of sweetened dough, fried in hog's fat, and called doughnuts. These "nuts" of fried dough might now be called doughnut holes. "Doughnut" is the more traditional spelling, and still dominates outside the US. At present, "donut" and "doughnut" are both pervasive in American English. The first known printed use of "donut" was in a Los Angeles Times article dated August 10, 1929.

"Donut" is most often used in the US and has become the accepted form of the word.

Answer 4

I'd say doughnut, because it's made of dough (though there generally aren't any nuts in it.)

Either is fine, though. It seems to be more of a regional/personal/name brand thing, rather than a historical "right" and "wrong" spelling.

I'd say "doughnut" is the older spelling, though. I seem to remember reading that it was originally spelled that way. "Donut" is more of a phonetic spelling, which makes it less traditional.

Edit: as far as "colour" vs. "color"--that wasn't an evolution. Samuel Webster (the dictionary guy) published a very influential spelling guide that said that the "u" wasn't necessary in words like "mould" and "flavour" and "colour." Based on his spelling rules, spelling changed quite a bit in the US.

So it was just one guy who changed a lot of spellings.

Answer 5

Technically, it's doughnut but donut is used most often

Answer 6

Doughnut is the original and correct spelling, however as "donut" becomes the more common spelling, the original spelling will eventually fade away (like colour evolving to being spelled color).

Answer 7

DOUGHnut. They are made from dough. Donut is slang

Answer 8

first one

Answer 9

Donut but there both right...........