Gray vs. Grey
Using the spelling "grey" or "gray" isn't always a black-or-white decision. 😁 Gray whale, greyhound, gray matter, Grey Poupon. The list goes on.
Which version of this spelling do you use, and which one do you think is the most common? . . .
What is the most common spelling of this color, in American English?
grey
gray
Both are used equally.
And the answer is . . . “gray.” It’s the most common spelling in American English, while “grey” is in British English. Both spellings are equally correct. According to Merriam-Webster, this color is one of the words most frequently searched for in English when it comes to spelling, because both spellings are so common and familiar. Although “gray” remains the most popular spelling in American English, “grey” continues to hold ground in a lot of cultural references known to Americans, such as Grey Poupon mustard and Grey Goose vodka. Incidentally, the swift dog known for its racing abilities is always spelled “greyhound,” and never “grayhound.” The “grey” in this name is not derived from the Old English word for gray that the color comes from, but from another Old English word linked to a Norse word for a female dog. Now you know.