Accommodation or Accomodation: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Accommodation is the correct spelling. Accomodation is a common spelling mistake and should be avoided in standard English. The confusion happens because the word contains two easily missed letter pairs: cc and mm.

Many people remember only one “c” or one “m,” which leads to the incorrect form accomodation. In this guide, we will look at the correct spelling, its origin, British and American usage, pronunciation, common mistakes, and real-life examples.

You will also learn a simple trick to remember the double c and double m every time you write the word. Cambridge specifically warns learners to spell the word with cc and mm. (Cambridge Dictionary)

Quick Answer

The correct spelling is accommodation.

❌ accomodation — Incorrect
✅ accommodation — Correct

The key is to remember that accommodation has two c’s and two m’s:

a + cc + o + mm + odation

For example:

We booked our accommodation before the trip.

The university provides student accommodation.

The word can mean a place to live or stay, such as a hotel, apartment, or other lodging. (Collins Dictionary)

The Origin of Accommodation

Accommodation comes from Latin accommodatio, meaning adjustment or adaptation. It is related to the verb accommodate, which means to provide space, help, or make an adjustment.

The word entered English centuries ago and developed several meanings. Today, it can refer to a place where someone lives or stays, an arrangement that meets a need, or an adjustment between people or groups. (Collins Dictionary)

The spelling may look complicated, but the double letters are part of the standard form. The mistake accomodation happens when writers leave out one of the two c’s.

British English vs American English Spelling

The spelling accommodation is correct in both British English and American English.

However, there is a small usage difference.

In British English, accommodation is normally an uncountable noun when it means a place to live or stay:

We found cheap accommodation in London.

American English often uses the plural accommodations for lodging:

We found excellent accommodations in New York.

So, the spelling does not change from accommodation to accomodation between the two varieties. The main difference is often the use of accommodation versus accommodations.

Usage	British English	American English
Correct spelling	accommodation	accommodation
Common lodging form	accommodation	accommodations
Incorrect spelling	accomodation	accomodation
Double c	Yes	Yes
Double m	Yes	Yes

Oxford’s style guidance also shows that many English words genuinely have different British and American spellings, but accommodation is not one of those spelling differences. (Oxford University)

Pronunciation of Accommodation

Accommodation is pronounced approximately as:

uh-kom-uh-DAY-shun

The pronunciation is essentially the same in British and American English. Collins gives the pronunciation as approximately /əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃən/. (Collins Dictionary)

The spoken form can make the spelling harder to remember because you cannot clearly hear both c’s or both m’s.

That is why someone may pronounce the word correctly but still write:

❌ accomodation

The correct written form remains:

✅ accommodation

Why People Confuse Accommodation and Accomodation

This spelling mistake is common because accommodation is a long word with several letters that are easy to overlook.

There are three main reasons:

People forget the second c.
People forget the second m.
The pronunciation does not clearly reveal the double letters.

The word accommodate can also cause confusion because writers may remember its sound instead of its spelling.

A useful way to break it down is:

ac + com + modation

But the safest visual pattern is:

CC + MM

Once you remember those two pairs, the spelling becomes much easier.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Use accommodation regardless of whether you write British or American English.

If you are writing for a British or Commonwealth audience, accommodation is the normal choice:

Student accommodation is available near the campus.

For American readers, accommodation is also correctly spelled this way, although accommodations is common when referring to lodging:

The hotel offers comfortable accommodations.

For global English, academic writing, professional writing, and general communication, accommodation is the safe spelling.

Common Mistakes with Accommodation

Here are some frequent errors:

Incorrect	Correct
accomodation	accommodation
acommodation	accommodation
accomadation	accommodation
accomodation	accommodation
accommodation	accommodation

The biggest mistake is dropping one of the double letters.

Remember:

accommodation = CC + MM

Also, do not confuse accommodation with accommodate. Both words contain the same important double-letter pattern.

Accommodation in Everyday Examples

You may see accommodation in many types of writing.

Travel

We need to find accommodation near the airport.

Email

Could you please confirm my accommodation details?

News

The city is facing a shortage of affordable accommodation.

Academic writing

Students can apply for university accommodation before the semester begins.

Social media

Finally found great accommodation for our weekend trip!

Professional writing

The company arranged accommodation for employees attending the conference.

In each example, the correct spelling is accommodation.

Easy Trick to Remember Accommodation

Use this simple memory trick:

Accommodation has room for CC and MM.

Think of the word room as a reminder because accommodation is often a place where people stay.

Remember:

AC + C + OM + M + ODATION

Or simply:

Accommodation has double C and double M.

If you remember CC + MM, you are much less likely to write accomodation.

Accommodation – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search interest in accommodation is closely connected with travel, hotels, housing, education, and places to stay.

Google itself describes accommodation search trends as covering hotels, vacation rentals, hostels, and other types of lodging. (Google Support)

The word is widely used in English-language travel and education content. Its usage also differs slightly by region: British English commonly uses the uncountable accommodation, while American English often uses accommodations for lodging.

For spelling purposes, however, there is no regional choice between accommodation and accomodation. Accommodation is the standard spelling in both varieties.

FAQs

Is accommodation or accomodation correct?

Accommodation is correct. Accomodation is a misspelling.

Does accommodation have two c’s?

Yes. The correct spelling contains two c’s and two m’s: accommodation.

Is accommodation British or American spelling?

Accommodation is used in both British and American English. American English often uses the plural accommodations when talking about lodging. (Collins Dictionary)

Why is accommodation so hard to spell?

It is a long word, and its pronunciation does not clearly show the double c and double m. This makes accomodation an easy mistake.

Can I write “an accommodation”?

In British English, when referring generally to a place to stay, accommodation is normally uncountable, so “an accommodation” is not standard in that use. American English commonly uses accommodations for lodging. (Cambridge Dictionary)

What is the easiest way to remember accommodation?

Remember CC + MM. Think: accommodation has double c and double m.

Is accomodation ever correct?

No. Accomodation is not the standard spelling. Use accommodation.

Key Takeaway

The correct spelling is accommodation, not accomodation. The most important spelling rule is simple: the word contains double c and double m.

British and American English use the same basic spelling, although American English often uses accommodations for lodging.

Whether you are writing an email, academic paper, travel article, or social media post, choose accommodation when the singular form is appropriate.