Parlor and parlour are both correct spellings, but they belong to different varieties of English. Parlor is the standard spelling in American English, while parlour is the traditional spelling in British English and is also used in several other varieties influenced by British English.
For example:
- American English: She went to the beauty parlor.
- British English: She went to the beauty parlour.
The meaning and pronunciation are generally the same. The main difference is the spelling: British English retains the u, while American English usually omits it.
If you are writing for an American audience, choose parlor. If you are writing for a British audience, choose parlour.
Parlor or Parlour: Quick Answer
| Spelling | Main usage | Correct? | Example |
| Parlor | American English | Yes | beauty parlor |
| Parlour | British English | Yes | beauty parlour |
Neither spelling is inherently wrong. The appropriate choice depends on the English variety you are using and, in some cases, the official spelling of a name.
A useful rule is:
American English → parlor
British English → parlour
This is similar to other spelling differences such as:
- color / colour
- favor / favour
- honor / honour
- labor / labour
- neighbor / neighbour
What Is the Difference Between Parlor and Parlour?
The difference between parlor and parlour is primarily regional spelling.
Both words can refer to a room used for receiving visitors or socializing, especially in older or traditional houses. They can also refer to certain businesses or establishments, such as a beauty business or an ice-cream shop.
The meanings do not normally change simply because the spelling changes.
Parlor in American English
Parlor is the usual American spelling.
Examples include:
- beauty parlor
- ice cream parlor
- tattoo parlor
- funeral parlor
- parlor games
- front parlor
For example:
My grandmother’s house had a large front parlor.
Parlour in British English
Parlour is the usual British spelling.
Examples include:
- beauty parlour
- ice-cream parlour
- tattoo parlour
- funeral parlour
- parlour games
- front parlour
For example:
The guests were waiting in the front parlour.
Where Is Parlor or Parlour Used?
Regional English conventions determine which spelling is normally preferred.
United States
Use parlor in American English.
For example:
We stopped at an ice cream parlor after dinner.
American English generally uses the spelling without u in this family of words.
United Kingdom
Use parlour in British English.
For example:
We visited an old-fashioned ice-cream parlour.
British English generally retains the u in words such as colour, favour, honour, labour, and parlour.
Canada
Canadian English has influences from both British and American English, so spelling can vary by word, publication, and context.
If you are writing for a Canadian audience, it is better to follow the spelling conventions of the publication, institution, or style guide you are using rather than assuming that every word must follow either American or British rules.
Australia and New Zealand
Parlour is the traditional form associated with British spelling conventions and may be encountered in Australian and New Zealand English.
As with other regional varieties, local usage and the style requirements of a particular publication should take priority.
What Does Parlor or Parlour Mean?
The word parlor/parlour traditionally referred to a room where people could talk, receive visitors, or spend time socially.
The word can also be used in names for businesses or places that provide a particular service.
Parlor or Parlour as a Room
Historically, a parlor or parlour was often a formal sitting or reception room.
For example:
The family welcomed their guests into the parlour.
In American English, the same sentence would normally use parlor.
Today, the word can sound somewhat traditional when referring to a room in a private home.
Parlor or Parlour as a Business
The word is also used for certain establishments.
For example:
She works at a beauty parlor.
British spelling:
She works at a beauty parlour.
The spelling changes according to the English variety, but the basic meaning remains the same.
Parlor or Parlour in Common Phrases
One of the easiest ways to understand the difference is to look at common phrases.
Beauty Parlor or Beauty Parlour?
Both are correct.
American English:
She made an appointment at the beauty parlor.
British English:
She made an appointment at the beauty parlour.
The phrase refers to a business offering beauty or personal-care services.
Ice Cream Parlor or Ice-Cream Parlour?
In American English, ice cream parlor is common.
In British English, ice-cream parlour is a common form.
For example:
We found a small ice cream parlor near the beach.
British-style:
We found a small ice-cream parlour near the beach.
Hyphenation can vary according to the style guide and context, so the important spelling distinction here is parlor/parlour.
Tattoo Parlor or Tattoo Parlour?
Both forms are used according to regional spelling.
American English:
He opened a tattoo parlor downtown.
British English:
He opened a tattoo parlour in the city centre.
Funeral Parlor or Funeral Parlour?
Again, the regional spelling determines the usual form.
American English:
The family contacted a funeral parlor.
British English:
The family contacted a funeral parlour.
In some regions, other terms such as funeral home or funeral director’s may be more common.
Parlor Games or Parlour Games?
A parlor game or parlour game is a social game traditionally played indoors, especially at a gathering.
American English:
The guests played parlor games after dinner.
British English:
The guests played parlour games after dinner.
Parlor and Parlour Pronunciation
Parlor and parlour are generally pronounced the same way.
A simple pronunciation guide is:
PAR-lər
The additional u in parlour does not normally add another syllable or create a different pronunciation.
This is useful to remember because someone may hear the word and be unsure which spelling to choose. The sound alone usually will not tell you whether the speaker intends the American or British spelling.
Why Does Parlour Have a “U”?
The spelling parlour has a long history in English and is connected to the French word parloir, which relates to speaking or a place where people speak.
Over time, English developed regional spelling conventions. British English retained forms such as parlour, while American English adopted parlor.
This same pattern can be seen in several other words:
| American English | British English |
| color | colour |
| favor | favour |
| honor | honour |
| labor | labour |
| neighbor | neighbour |
| parlor | parlour |
The difference does not mean that the British form is more correct or that the American form is a misspelling. They are established regional forms.
Parlor or Parlour: Correct Examples
Seeing the two forms side by side can make the distinction easier to remember.
American English Examples
- The guests gathered in the parlor.
- She owns a small beauty parlor.
- We visited an ice cream parlor.
- He works at a tattoo parlor.
- They played parlor games.
- The old house has a formal parlor.
British English Examples
- The guests gathered in the parlour.
- She owns a small beauty parlour.
- We visited an ice-cream parlour.
- He works at a tattoo parlour.
- They played parlour games.
- The old house has a formal parlour.
Parlor or Parlour in the Plural
The plural forms follow the same regional spelling distinction.
American English:
parlors
British English:
parlours
For example:
Several beauty parlors opened in the neighborhood.
British spelling:
Several beauty parlours opened in the neighbourhood.
This follows the same general American/British spelling difference.
How to Choose the Right Spelling
The best spelling depends on your audience and the style of English you are following.
If You Are Writing for Americans
Choose parlor.
If the rest of your content uses forms such as color, favorite, honor, and labor, then parlor is consistent with that spelling style.
If You Are Writing for British Readers
Choose parlour.
If your writing uses colour, favourite, honour, and labour, then parlour fits the same British spelling style.
If You Are Writing for an International Audience
Choose one spelling convention based on your primary audience and use it consistently.
For example, a website primarily targeting readers in the United States should generally use parlor. A website aimed primarily at British readers should generally use parlour.
You do not need to use both spellings throughout the same article merely to target both keywords. You can explain the regional difference once and then maintain a consistent style.
If You Are Referring to a Brand or Business
Use the official spelling of the name.
If a business is officially called Mocca Parlour, for example, you should not change its name simply because you are writing in American English.
Proper names should generally retain their official spelling.
Common Mistakes With Parlor and Parlour
Mistake 1: Saying That One Spelling Is Always Wrong
It is incorrect to claim that parlor is always wrong or that parlour is always wrong.
Both are established spellings.
The important question is which variety of English you are using.
Mistake 2: Mixing American and British Spellings
Using parlor in one sentence and parlour in another is unnecessary unless you are specifically discussing the spelling difference.
The same principle applies to related words.
For example, an article that consistently uses color and favorite would normally look more consistent with parlor.
An article using colour and favourite would normally look more consistent with parlour.
Mistake 3: Assuming the Extra “U” Changes the Pronunciation
The spelling difference does not normally create a pronunciation difference.
Parlor and parlour are generally pronounced alike.
Mistake 4: Changing an Official Name
Do not automatically “correct” Parlour to Parlor if the former is part of an organization’s official name.
For example, if a business officially uses Beauty Parlour, changing it to Beauty Parlor changes the business name.
Is Parlor or Parlour More Common?
There is no universal answer because usage depends heavily on the region.
Parlor is the normal spelling in American English.
Parlour is the normal spelling in British English.
If you compare English worldwide without separating regional varieties, the results can be misleading because the two spellings are distributed differently across countries and publications.
For practical writing, it is more useful to ask:
Which spelling does my target audience expect?
rather than:
Which spelling is universally more common?
Parlor or Parlour
If you are writing an article, website page, or blog post, choose the spelling based on your target audience.
Targeting the United States
Use parlor as your primary form.
You can mention parlour naturally when explaining the British spelling.
Targeting the United Kingdom
Use parlour as your primary form.
You can mention parlor when explaining the American spelling.
Targeting Both Audiences
If both markets matter, explain the distinction clearly rather than repeatedly switching between spellings.
For example:
Parlor is the American English spelling, while parlour is the British English spelling. Both refer to the same word.
This allows search engines and readers to understand the relationship between the two forms without making the article sound unnatural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parlor or parlour correct?
Both are correct. Parlor is the standard American English spelling, while parlour is the standard British English spelling.
Is parlor American or British?
Parlor is the American English spelling.
Is parlour American or British?
Parlour is primarily the British English spelling.
Are parlor and parlour the same word?
Yes. They generally have the same meaning. The primary difference is regional spelling.
Are parlor and parlour pronounced the same?
Yes. They are generally pronounced the same way, approximately PAR-lər.
Why does British English use parlour?
Parlour reflects traditional British spelling and the historical development of the word. American English commonly uses the simplified form parlor.
Is beauty parlor or beauty parlour correct?
Both are correct. Beauty parlor is the American English form, while beauty parlour is the British English form.
Is ice cream parlor or ice cream parlour correct?
Both are correct according to regional spelling. Ice cream parlor is common in American English, while ice-cream parlour is common in British English.
Is tattoo parlor or tattoo parlour correct?
Both are correct. Use tattoo parlor for American English and tattoo parlour for British English.
What is the plural of parlor?
The American English plural is parlors. The British English plural is parlours.
Can I use parlor and parlour on the same website?
Yes, particularly when discussing the difference between American and British English. However, your general writing should use a consistent spelling style for your primary audience.
Which spelling should I use in an American article?
Use parlor.
Which spelling should I use in a British article?
Use parlour.
Which spelling is better for SEO?
Neither spelling is inherently better for SEO. The better choice depends on your target audience and the search terms relevant to that audience. Use parlor when targeting American English and parlour when targeting British English, while naturally mentioning the alternative spelling when useful.
Is parlour an old-fashioned spelling?
Not necessarily. Parlour is a standard British English spelling. The word itself can sometimes sound traditional depending on the context, but the spelling is not incorrect or obsolete.
Is parlor only used for a room?
No. The word can refer to a traditional room, but it also appears in names for businesses and establishments, such as beauty parlor, ice cream parlor, and tattoo parlor.
Conclusion
When choosing between parlor or parlour, remember that both spellings are correct.
Parlor is the standard form in American English, while parlour is the standard form in British English. The two forms generally have the same meaning and pronunciation.
Use the spelling that matches your audience and your overall writing style:
American English → parlor
British English → parlour
If you are writing for an international audience, choose a consistent style based on your primary readership. And if Parlor or Parlour is part of an official business, product, or organization name, preserve that name’s original spelling.
The key takeaway is simple: neither spelling is universally wrong—the correct choice depends on the variety of English you are using.
I am Emily Carter, an English grammar writer and language enthusiast dedicated to helping people improve their writing skills with simple and clear explanations. I have spent years studying English usage, sentence structure, punctuation, and common grammar mistakes. My goal is to make grammar easy for students, professionals, and everyday writers by explaining complex rules in a practical way. I believe good grammar builds confidence and helps people communicate their ideas more effectively.
I have written several educational resources, including my books “The Complete Guide to English Grammar Rules” and “Mastering English Writing: A Practical Grammar Handbook.” Through my articles and books, I continue to help readers understand English better and write with accuracy and confidence.