The words judgement and judgment are both correct, although the spellings differ between British and American English. The difference is mostly based on dialect and the spelling preference of the writer.
While the spelling without the extra “e” is preferred in American English, most style guides and dictionaries recommend sticking with judgement in non-legal contexts.
Definitions
Judicial judgments are final and authoritative decisions on legal matters. These decisions are rendered by a court, generally based on the evidence presented to it by the plaintiff. A judgment can order a defendant to pay a sum of money, perform a certain action, or refrain from performing an action. The judgment can also award damages to the plaintiff.
Both “judgement” and “judgment” are correct spellings, but the spelling choice depends on the dialect being used. The most common spelling is judgment, which is preferred in legal contexts and by many style guides.
However, the spelling judgement is becoming more and more popular in British English. Some writers still prefer to stick with the more traditional spelling of judgment, but the usage is shifting. This could mean that in the future, both spellings will be accepted in all dialects and use cases. Until then, the choice of which one to use should be left up to personal preference and the desired writing style.
Origins
Judgement and judgment are both derived from the verb judge, but they have different meanings. Judgement is the spelling used in legal contexts and for the sense of decision-making, while judgment is used more often to refer to a personal opinion or evaluation. He showed poor judgment when he decided not to wear his helmet while riding his bike. I trust his judgment in business matters.
The spelling with an extra “e” is preferred in British English, and it is used frequently in legal documents. However, the shorter form is more widely accepted in American English. Both spellings are acceptable in non-legal writing, although adding the extra “e” is a no-no in most U.S. dictionaries and usage guides.
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Usage
It is important to consider the audience and context when deciding which spelling to use. In general, it is best to stick with the spelling that is used in your particular dialect. However, this is not always possible. For example, some American publications and style guides allow the use of “judgement” in certain contexts, while other American writers prefer the spelling “judgment.”
Similarly, the spelling varies between UK English and US English. In the UK, judgement (with an e) is typically preferred, especially in legal contexts. However, in the US, judgment without an e is generally preferred.
For example, he showed poor judgement in making his decision to not wear a helmet. On the other hand, she demonstrated excellent judgement in choosing the best wine. While it may be tempting to switch between the two spellings, it is generally best to stick with one. This will help avoid confusion and ensure that the meaning of your writing is conveyed clearly.
Spelling
It’s important to keep your judgement clear when making decisions. If you use good judgement, your decisions will be right.
Both spellings are correct in British and American English, although judgment is the standard spelling in legal contexts. The Revised Version of the Bible used the spelling judgment, while Shakespeare varied between it and iudgement (with an I). The Oxford English Dictionary prefers the spelling of judgement, but it acknowledges that judg(e)ment is also acceptable. Merriam-Webster also favors the spelling of judgement, listing judg(e)ment as a variant form. The venerable English Pronouncing Dictionary by Daniel Jones covers both bases by printing the entry word as judg(e)ment, and words like acknowledgement/acknowledgment follow this same pattern.
The spellings of the noun and verb judgment have different meanings, and one is only correct in certain English dialects. The noun judgment can mean the decision of a judge or legal court, or it can refer to an opinion formed objectively or subjectively.