Forrest or Forest – Which Spelling Is Correct? (+Examples)

Imagine you’re out in the woods and you need to tell somebody. Do you say “Forrest” or “Forest”?

Let’s look at these two forms, to find out which is the correct one and how it should be properly used in our conversations and sentences.

Forrest or Forest – Which Spelling Is Correct?

“Forest” is the correct spelling. Apparently, “Forrest” used to be acceptable centuries ago, with a different meaning. It evolved, so to speak, into what we know as a name or surname. But when it comes to the woods, the correct form is “Forest”, and that’s the one you should use.

Let’s look at some examples below:

• You shouldn’t go into the forest.
• You shouldn’t go into that forrest. (incorrect)
• Forrest, be careful going into the woods.

In the examples you find three sentences. In the first one “Forest” is used correctly, with the spelling and mean you can replicate in your own communications.

At the same time, in the second we see the incorrect spelling, “Forrest”. This form isn’t acceptable and should be avoided.

In the third sentence, we demonstrate “Forrest” works as a name, which is how it’d currently appear more often – even if “Forrest” isn’t exactly a common name.

Forrest

“Forrest” is a common misspelling of “Forest”. A long time ago, apparently, “Forrest” would indicate a person who lived in a forest area, but the word has lost this use a long time ago. With time, it became a name, “Forrest” that you may see around.

The Cambridge Dictionary doesn’t acknowledge “Forrest” as a word, and neither does the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Its old use has become so obsolete, that “Forrest” isn’t considered an actual word anymore.

Let’s look at some examples of “Forrest” being incorrectly used, followed by the corrected sentence. Also, let’s see it used as a name, which is acceptable.

1. The forrest was incredibly dark. (incorrect)
2. The forest was incredibly dark.

3. The Peterson family decided to go hiking in the forrest. (incorrect)
4. The Peterson family decided to go hiking in the forest.

5. Have you ever seen the movie Forrest Gump?
6. I invited Forrest to the barbecue, but I’m not sure he’s coming.

“Forrest” as a name is fine. Even if it’s not common, it exists and you might even know a “Forrest” in your life.

However, when talking about the wood, always use the correct spelling, which is “Forest”.

Forest

“Forest” is a dense collection of trees covering a relatively large area (usually larger than the woods). The correct spelling for this word is “Forest”.

In The Cambridge Dictionary we find the following definition: “a large area of land covered with trees and plants”. This is how you’d use the word “Forest” in a sentence:

1. I got lost in the forest often as a kid.
2. She goes into the forest looking for rare birds.
3. The forest was very humid, and after a while it felt uncomfortable.
4. He looked around the forest for his lost dog, but couldn’t find it.
5. It was autumn, so the forest floor was covered in leaves.

Always make sure to double check your spelling, when using the word “Forest”. This is the only acceptable form of this word.

Which Is Used the Most?

When looking at a correct and an incorrect word’s spelling, it’s possible to guess which of the words would appear more often in a graph. Still, we’d like to know: which one of those words, “Forest” or “Forrest” pops up more frequently?

Take a look at the graph from Google Ngram Viewer below, to find out.

As expected, “Forest” appears much more than “Forrest”, and that’s been the case all along. “Forrest” is an incorrect spelling of “Forest” and, as a name, isn’t really a common one that would appear so frequently.

Keep in mind, however, that “Forrest” is a name, and can appear as such.

Final Thoughts

When talking about or describing a large area covered with plants and trees, the correct word to use is “Forest”. “Forrest” is a common misspell of that word, but as with any incorrect form, you should avoid it. Still, “Forrest” is a name, and it can be used as such.