When to Use Grey vs. Gray

When should I use ‘gray’ vs. ‘grey’?

“Gray” and “grey” are two different spellings of the same word. While it’s most commonly used to refer to the color produced by blending black and white, it can also be used for proper nouns, as well as specialized or scientific terms.

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When referring to the color itself, it doesn’t really matter whether you use e or a, so long as you’re consistent in your writing. The pronunciation doesn’t change, and both words come from the Old English word græg, the Dutch word grauw, and the German word grau.

As time passed, other spelling variations including “greie,” “greye,” and “graye” emerged, and were used through poems and other literature as early as the twelfth century. But by the twentieth century, “gray” became the accepted spelling of the word in the United States, and “grey” became common in the rest of the English-speaking world.

The word can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective and is equally effective no matter which spelling variation you prefer. You can say that someone with silvery hair is graying beautifully, but you might also say that it’s greying, and still be accurate. Similarly, if you head to Scotland (or anywhere) and it’s incredibly cloudy, you could say that the sky is “gray” or “grey” and be correct either way.

Are ‘gray’ and ‘grey’ interchangeable?

“Gray” and “grey” can generally be used interchangeably but there are some notable exceptions:

• Proper nouns like Earl Gray tea, only use one variation of the word. There’s a town in Michigan called Grayling, and if you use an “e”, you’ll be making a spelling error. If someone’s last name is spelled Grey, don’t write it as Gray. Not only will it be incorrect, it’ll be impolite.
• The unit of measurement that is used to show how much radiation is absorbed is called gray – with an “a”. One gray is equivalent to about a joule of energy, and should never be spelled with an “e”, since this is a regulated scientific term.
• Certain animals use specific spellings of the word in their names. For example, the African Grey Parrot and the greyhound are only spelled with an “e”. There’s a type of freshwater fish called a grayling (just like the city in Michigan), that should never be misspelled with an “a”.

Best practices for choosing gray vs. grey

When deciding which version of the word to use in your writing, consider your audience. Since both spellings are technically correct for casual use and widely accepted, choose the spelling that will be most effective with those who will read what you’ve written.

A quick rule of thumb is to use “gray” in America. Remember “a” for America and “a” in gray, and you should be in good shape, no matter which version you personally prefer or where you’re from.

There are lots of words with similar spellings that may be easily confused, like blonde vs. blond, for example. Knowing when to use these kinds of words can improve your writing, but one of the most important rules is simply to be consistent and write clearly.

Now that you know the difference between gray and grey, you can proceed to write with confidence. Microsoft Editor helps you write confidently and can help you choose the right words for your latest draft.