Some people around the world use the spelling “merchandise” while others prefer “merchandize.” This article examines whether the terms are synonyms and their usage and frequency in different parts of the world.
Merchandize or Merchandise – Which Spelling Is Correct?
The word “merchandise” refers to products that are bought and sold. Although “merchandize” is listed as an alternative version of the spelling, it is hardly ever used in any version of English. However, British, American, Canadian, and Australian English all favour the spelling “merchandise.”
The Cambridge Dictionary contains the spelling for “merchandise” and states that it relates to goods and products that are bought or sold. Unfortunately, the word “merchandize” is not in the Cambridge Dictionary, but it is found in the Collins Dictionary, which states that it is a UK and US alternative.
Furthermore, the Free Dictionary contains a particular footnote for the word “merchandise” and specifies that it is spelt with an “s” in both British and American English.
Therefore, whilst the two words are synonyms and “merchandize” is acceptable in a game of Scrabble, the spelling “merchandise” is more common, even in the US and Canada.
Here are some examples of the word “merchandise” in a sentence:
- Charity shops sell second-hand merchandise.
- The global movement of merchandise depends almost entirely on the internet.
- Most department stores get new merchandise every week.
- Customs officials often confiscate fake merchandise as it enters the country.
- We only sell genuine brand merchandise.
Merchandize or Merchandise in the UK?
The Google Ngram for British English reveals that “merchandise” has always been more common than “merchandize” in the UK. The “z” spelling was at its highest frequency at the start of the 1900s, but it has since declined and is now seldom used in British English.
Therefore, if you are writing in British English, you should use the spelling “merchandise.”
Merchandize or Merchandise in the US?
When dealing with the choice of the suffix -ise or -ize, the general rule is that the -ize is used in American English. However, in the case of “merchandise,” this is not the case, and it is listed as the American English spelling as well.
The Google Ngram for American English shows that “merchandise” has always been more popular than “merchandize”, which was used even less than it was in the UK.
Therefore, in American English, somewhat surprisingly, the standard spelling choice is “merchandise.”
Merchandize or Merchandise in Canada?
Canadian English usually follows American English spelling rules and often uses the suffix -ize rather than -ise. However, considering that “merchandise” is more popular than “merchandize” in the US, it is no surprise that this is also the case in Canada, as confirmed by the Canadian Translation Bureau.
Therefore, if you are writing a text in Canadian English, it is best to use “merchandise.”
Merchandize or Merchandise in Australia
In Australian English, they follow the rules of UK spelling, often more tightly than in the UK. Therefore considering that “merchandize” is not really used in the UK or US, it would be rare to find it in Australian English, and the standard version is “merchandise.”
A Google search for Australian webpages with the word “merchandise” revealed that most entries were spelt “merchandise”, and the only ones containing “z” were those discussing whether it is a proper spelling or not.
Merchandize or Merchandise in Other Countries?
The Google Ngram for worldwide use shows that “merchandise” has always been more frequent globally than “merchandize.”
However, the use of the word, in general, has reduced considerably since the early 20th century, when “merchants” and “merchandise” were more common terms due to the nature of trade in that period.
The use of the spelling “merchandize” has never really gained any traction and was at its most popular at the start of the 20th century and for a brief period in the 1960s.
Final Thoughts
The words “merchandise” and “merchandize” are synonyms, and although both terms are valid and correct, the spelling “merchandize” is not used with any real frequency anywhere in the world. The spelling “merchandise” is preferred in American, British, Canadian, and Australian English.
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
