Fourteen is the correct spelling of the number that comes after thirteen and before fifteen. Forteen is not a standard English word. It is a common misspelling, usually made because the number sounds like it begins with the same vowel sound as forty.
Understanding this difference matters in school work, job applications, legal papers, and cheques, where one wrong letter can look careless. This guide explains the correct spelling, why mistakes happen, how fourteen differs from forty and fourteenth, and how to remember the right form every time. The spelling is simple once you see the pattern behind it.
Quick Answer (Forteen Vs Fourteen)
Always write fourteen. The word is built from “four” plus “teen,” so the “u” in four stays in place. “Forteen” is a spelling error and does not appear as a headword in standard dictionaries.
- Correct: She turns fourteen next month.
- Incorrect: She turns forteen next month.
Comparison Table
| Form | Status | Example |
| Fourteen | Correct standard spelling | There are fourteen chairs in the room. |
| Forteen | Misspelling, not a recognized word | Incorrect: There are forteen chairs in the room. |
| Forty | Correct, the number 40 | Forty students joined the trip. |
| Fourty | Misspelling of forty | Incorrect: Fourty students joined the trip. |
| Fourteenth | Correct ordinal form | Her fourteenth birthday is on Friday. |
Why Fourteen Is Correct
Fourteen follows a regular pattern. English builds the numbers 13 to 19 by joining a base number with “teen,” which comes from the Old English word for “ten.” So four plus teen gives fourteen, just as six plus teen gives sixteen.
The base word “four” keeps its “u,” so the compound keeps it too. Dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster and Oxford list the form as fourteen.
Meaning Of Fourteen
Fourteen is a cardinal number that equals ten plus four. It can work as a number word, a determiner, or a noun.
- Determiner: Fourteen people attended the meeting.
- Noun: Fourteen is divisible by two and seven.
- Pronoun use: Fourteen of them passed the test.
Is Forteen A Real Word
No. “Forteen” is not recognized in standard English dictionaries, and spell checkers flag it. It appears in writing only as an error, in usernames, or in brand names where the spelling is chosen on purpose.
If you see it in formal writing, treat it as a typo and replace it with fourteen.
The Spelling Difference Explained
The difference is one letter. Fourteen has the letters f-o-u-r-t-e-e-n. Forteen drops the “u” after the “o,” which breaks the link to the word “four.”
Because the pronunciation does not reveal that missing letter, the error is easy to make and easy to miss.
Why People Misspell Fourteen
Several habits lead to the mistake.
- The word forty has no “u,” and writers copy that pattern.
- English vowel spellings are inconsistent, so sound is an unreliable guide.
- Fast typing and autocorrect gaps allow small slips to pass.
- Learners of English may spell the word as they hear it.
Key Differences Between The Two Forms
Fourteen is a real number word with a clear meaning. Forteen has no meaning of its own. The only difference that matters in practice is acceptability. Fourteen is correct in every context, while forteen is incorrect in every standard context.
Which Form Is Correct
Fourteen is correct in American, British, Canadian, and Australian English. No regional standard accepts forteen. When in doubt, choose the spelling that includes the “u” from four.
How To Spell Fourteen Correctly
Follow these steps.
- Start with the word four.
- Keep all four letters: f-o-u-r.
- Add “teen.”
- Check that the result has eight letters.
Pronunciation Guide
Fourteen is pronounced /ˌfɔːrˈtiːn/ in American English and /ˌfɔːˈtiːn/ in most British accents. Both syllables carry weight, but stress can shift.
- Said alone, the stress falls on the second part: “I am fourTEEN.”
- Before a noun, it often moves to the first part: “FOURteen STUdents.”
Forty, by contrast, is pronounced /ˈfɔːrti/ with stress on the first syllable and a short final sound.
Fourteen In Grammar
Fourteen is a plural quantity word, so it takes a plural noun and a plural verb.
- Fourteen cars were parked outside.
- Fourteen is a small number for a team of this size. (Here the number is treated as a single figure.)
When it modifies a noun in a compound, it is hyphenated and the noun stays singular: a fourteen-year-old student, a fourteen-page report.
Fourteen As An Age
Ages are usually written in words in formal prose, and many style guides accept numerals as well.
- My cousin is fourteen.
- He started school at fourteen.
- She is a fourteen-year-old swimmer.
Note the hyphens in the adjective form and the lack of them in “She is fourteen years old.”
Fourteen In Dates And Numbers
In dates, the numeral 14 is common. The word appears when you write the day in full or refer to a year range.
- American style: March 14
- British style: 14 March
- Spoken: the fourteenth of March
Many style guides spell out numbers below 100 in running text. The Associated Press, however, uses numerals from 10 upward. Follow whichever guide your publisher uses.
Sentence Examples
- The bus leaves in fourteen minutes.
- Fourteen volunteers cleaned the beach.
- We booked fourteen nights at the lodge.
- The recipe serves fourteen guests.
- He scored fourteen points in the final.
Common Spelling Mistakes
- Incorrect: forteen. Correct: fourteen. The word needs the “u” from four.
- Incorrect: fourty. Correct: forty. Forty drops the “u.”
- Incorrect: fourteen year old girl. Correct: fourteen-year-old girl. Hyphenate the adjective.
- Incorrect: fourtheen. Correct: fourteen. There is no “h” before “teen.”
Fourteen And Other Teen Numbers
Fourteen sits among a regular group: thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen. Most of them end in “teen.” Note that four keeps its “u” in fourteen, but three becomes “thir” and five becomes “fif” in thirteen and fifteen. Fourteen is the most regular of them, since it keeps the base word intact.
Fourteen And Forty
The two words look similar but have different values and spellings.
- Fourteen means 14 and keeps the “u.”
- Forty means 40 and drops the “u.”
Both are pronounced differently as well: four-TEEN versus FOR-ty. Confusing them can change an amount tenfold, which matters in money and measurement.
American English Usage
American English uses fourteen with the same spelling and grammar described above. Numerals are common in news and technical writing, and the date format is month first.
British English Usage
British English also spells the word fourteen. The main differences lie elsewhere, such as the date order (14 March) and the spelling of “cheque,” not in the number word itself.
Canadian And Australian English Usage
Canadian and Australian English both use fourteen. They follow British spelling for words like “cheque” and “colour,” while Canadian English often mixes American habits. The number word is identical in all varieties.
Formal And Informal Writing
In formal writing, spell out fourteen when it begins a sentence or appears in running text, unless your style guide prefers numerals. In informal writing such as texts and notes, 14 is fine. Forteen is never acceptable in either register.
Real Life Usage
Daily Conversation
People say fourteen when giving ages, times, and counts: “I’ll be there in fourteen minutes.”
Workplace Communication
In emails and reports, use words or numerals consistently. A line such as “Fourteen tasks remain open” reads clearly and professionally.
Academic Writing
Many academic styles require numbers below a set limit to be spelled out. Check the guide, then apply it consistently, for example “fourteen participants” or “14 participants.”
News Writing
News outlets often use numerals for 10 and above, so “14 people were rescued” is common, though a sentence starting with a number is usually rewritten or spelled out.
Literature And Storytelling
Authors usually spell numbers out for rhythm and tone: “She was fourteen when the war began.”
Related And Confused Terms
- Fourteen: the number 14.
- Fourteenth: the ordinal position.
- Forty: the number 40.
- Fortnight: a period of fourteen days, from the older “fourteen nights.”
- Fortieth: the ordinal for 40.
The Difference Between Fourteen And Fourteenth
Fourteen is a cardinal number that shows quantity. Fourteenth is an ordinal number that shows order or position.
- I have fourteen books.
- This is my fourteenth book.
Add “th” for the numeral form: 14th.
Forteen Or Fourteen In Cheque
When writing a cheque, spell the amount in words exactly. Write “Fourteen” with the “u,” never “Forteen.” A misspelling can invite questions from the bank.
- 14: Fourteen only
- 14,000: Fourteen thousand only
For 1,400, writing “One thousand four hundred” is clearer than “fourteen hundred.” In US usage, the term is “check,” while British, Canadian, and Australian English use “cheque.”
Forteen Or Fourteen Oxford
Oxford’s dictionaries list fourteen as the standard spelling. “Forteen” is not given as a variant. When a major dictionary does not list a form, that is a good sign it is an error rather than an accepted alternative.
Fourteen Thousand
Fourteen thousand is written as two words, with no plural “s” on thousand when a number precedes it.
- Correct: Fourteen thousand people attended.
- Incorrect: Fourteen thousands people attended.
- Numeral: 14,000
Use “thousands of” only for an unspecified large number: “Thousands of fans came.” As a modifier, use hyphens: a fourteen-thousand-dollar fee.
Forteen Or Fourteen Quiz
Choose the correct spelling.
- She is (forteen / fourteen) years old.
- We need (forty / fourty) chairs.
- This is my (fourteenth / forteenth) visit.
- The cheque is for (fourteen / forteen) thousand dollars.
- A (fourteen-year-old / forteen year old) student won.
Answers: 1. fourteen. 2. forty. 3. fourteenth. 4. fourteen. 5. fourteen-year-old.
A Simple Memory Trick
Remember that fourteen contains four. If you can spell four, add “teen,” and you cannot lose the “u.” Forty is the odd one out, so think: “Four keeps its u in fourteen, but loses it in forty.”
What Editors Look For
Editors check three points: correct spelling, consistent number style, and proper hyphenation in compound modifiers. They also watch for fourty and forteen, since spell checkers may miss them in names or headings.
Final Takeaway
Use fourteen for the number, fourteenth for the position, and forty for 40. Forteen and fourty are errors, and keeping the “u” in four is the easiest way to avoid both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it forteen or fourteen?
Fourteen is correct. Forteen is a misspelling.
Is forteen a word in any dictionary?
No standard dictionary lists forteen as a word. It is treated as an error.
Is it forty or fourty?
Forty is correct. The “u” is dropped in forty but kept in fourteen.
How do you write fourteen in words on a cheque?
Write “Fourteen” in full, followed by the rest of the amount, such as “Fourteen thousand only.”
Should I write 14 or fourteen?
It depends on the style guide. Many guides spell out numbers under 100 in formal prose, while news style often uses 14.
What is the difference between fourteen and fourteenth?
Fourteen shows quantity, and fourteenth shows order, as in the fourteenth day.
Do British and American English spell fourteen differently?
No. Both use fourteen. Differences occur in related words, such as cheque and check.
Conclusion
The correct spelling is fourteen. It combines four and teen, so the “u” must stay. Forteen is an error and forty is a separate number with its own spelling. Remember that fourteen contains four, and you will spell it correctly every time.
