spread-eagle (verb) — To put into a spread-eagle position, with arms and legs extended and spread.
spreadeagle sounds exactly like spread-eagle but has a different meaning and spelling. Mixing these up is one of the most common spelling mistakes in English.
spread-eagle
verb
To put into a spread-eagle position, with arms and legs extended and spread.
spreadeagle
verb
To put into a spread-eagle position, with arms and legs extended and spread.
Full definition →How to Remember the Difference
- → Focus on meaning first — once you know what each word means, the correct spelling follows naturally.
- → Write a test sentence for each word and save it as a reference.
- → When in doubt, look up the definition — if it doesn't match your sentence, switch to the homophone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a homophone of spread-eagle?
spreadeagle is a homophone of "spread-eagle". They sound identical when spoken but have different meanings and spellings.
What is the difference between spread-eagle and spreadeagle?
"spread-eagle" means: To put into a spread-eagle position, with arms and legs extended and spread.. "spreadeagle" means: To put into a spread-eagle position, with arms and legs extended and spread.. They sound the same but are used in completely different contexts.
What is a homophone?
A homophone is a word that sounds exactly like another word but has a different meaning and often a different spelling. Examples include "their / there / they're", "to / too / two", and "spread-eagle / spreadeagle". Homophones are a common source of spelling and grammar mistakes.
How do I remember the difference between spread-eagle and spreadeagle?
A good strategy is to memorize a short sentence that uses each word correctly, then recall that sentence when you are unsure. For example, focus on the meaning first — then let the spelling follow from context. Reading and writing regularly also helps these distinctions become automatic.