Have you ever stopped mid-sentence and wondered whether it’s targetted or targeted? You’re not alone. This spelling confusion appears often in emails, marketing content, business writing, and even online articles.
The short answer is simple: “targeted” is the correct spelling in modern English. While “targetted” occasionally appears online, it’s generally considered a misspelling by major dictionaries and style guides.
In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between the two spellings, how they’re used in different countries, what dictionaries say, and why the confusion happens in the first place.
Is It Targetted or Targeted?
The correct spelling is targeted.
The word comes from the noun target, and when adding “-ed,” English spelling rules do not require doubling the “t.” As a result, targeted is the accepted past tense and adjective form.
Examples:
- The company launched a targeted advertising campaign.
- Police carried out a targeted investigation.
- Students received targeted support before exams.
Meanwhile, “targetted” is considered nonstandard and rarely accepted in professional writing.
Why Do People Spell It as “Targetted”?
The confusion usually comes from English spelling patterns.
In some words, the final consonant doubles before adding “-ed” or “-ing.” For example:
- admit → admitted
- regret → regretted
- permit → permitted
Because of these examples, many people assume target should become targetted. But English spelling rules are not always perfectly consistent.
Since the stress in target falls on the first syllable (“TAR-get”), the final consonant does not double. That’s why targeted remains the standard spelling.
Targetted or Targeted Meaning
Both forms are intended to express the same meaning:
Directed at a specific person, group, goal, or area.
However, only targeted is grammatically accepted in standard English.
Common meanings include:
- Focused on a specific audience
- Aimed at a particular objective
- Designed for a certain group
- Intentionally selected
Examples:
- targeted marketing
- targeted therapy
- targeted attacks
- targeted training programs
What Does the Oxford Dictionary Say?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the accepted spelling is targeted.
Major dictionaries consistently list:
- targeted
- targetted
This includes respected language references used in academic, professional, and publishing environments.
Targetted or Targeted UK Spelling
Many people search for targetted or targeted UK spelling because British English sometimes doubles consonants differently than American English.
For example:
- traveled (US) vs travelled (UK)
- canceled (US) vs cancelled (UK)
But in this case, both British and American English use targeted.
So if you’re writing for readers in the UK, the correct form is still:
- targeted
- targetted
Targetted or Targeted Canada
Canadian English often blends British and American spelling conventions, which can create uncertainty.
However, Canadian dictionaries and style guides also prefer targeted. You’ll commonly see it in:
- Canadian news publications
- Government documents
- Academic writing
- Business communication
So in Canada, targeted remains the correct choice.
Targetted or Targeted Australia
Australian English follows many British spelling patterns, but the accepted version here is also targeted.
Australian publications, universities, and professional editors overwhelmingly use the single-“t” spelling.
If you’re writing for an Australian audience, stick with targeted.
Targetted or Targeted British Spelling
Some writers assume “targetted” must be the British form because British English often doubles consonants. But that assumption is incorrect.
British spelling standards still recognize targeted as the proper version.
This means:
- American English → targeted
- British English → targeted
- Canadian English → targeted
- Australian English → targeted
The spelling remains consistent across major English dialects.
Common Examples of Correct Usage
Here are some examples showing how the word is properly used in everyday writing.
Marketing
- The brand created a targeted social media campaign.
- Businesses rely on targeted advertising to reach ideal customers.
Education
- Teachers provided targeted support for struggling students.
- Schools introduced targeted learning programs.
Healthcare
- Doctors recommended targeted treatment options.
- Researchers studied targeted cancer therapies.
Business
- The company used targeted recruitment strategies.
- Managers implemented targeted performance improvements.
Targetted or Targeted Synonym
If you want alternatives to targeted, here are some useful synonyms depending on context:
Synonyms for “Targeted”
- focused
- directed
- specialized
- specific
- tailored
- strategic
- customized
- aimed
- selective
- intentional
Why Correct Spelling Matters
Using the correct spelling improves:
Professionalism
Incorrect spelling can make writing appear careless, especially in resumes, business emails, or academic work.
Credibility
Readers are more likely to trust content that follows accepted language standards.
Even small spelling mistakes can affect how polished your writing feels.
Quick Trick to Remember the Correct Spelling
A simple way to remember it:
“Target” keeps one “t” before “-ed.”
Think of similar words:
- market → marketed
- benefit → benefited
- budget → budgeted
The pattern stays consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is targetted or targeted correct?
“Targeted” is the correct spelling. “Targetted” is generally considered incorrect in modern English.
Is targetted ever acceptable?
You may occasionally see it online or in informal writing, but it is not the preferred spelling in standard dictionaries or professional writing.
What is the UK spelling of targeted?
The UK spelling is still “targeted.” British English does not use “targetted.”
How do Canadians spell targeted?
Canadian English uses “targeted,” just like American and British English.
Does Australia use targetted or targeted?
Australian English also uses “targeted” as the standard spelling.
What is a synonym for targeted?
Common synonyms include focused, directed, tailored, strategic, and specialized.
Why do people write targetted?
People often assume the final consonant should double because of words like “regretted” or “admitted,” but English spelling rules don’t require doubling the “t” in “targeted.”
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering whether to write targetted or targeted, the answer is clear: targeted is the correct spelling in American, British, Canadian, and Australian English.
Although “targetted” occasionally appears online, it’s widely viewed as a spelling mistake rather than a legitimate regional variation. Dictionaries, publishers, businesses, and academic institutions all favor the single-“t” version.
The next time you write about targeted advertising, targeted support, or targeted strategies, you can use the correct spelling with confidence.
