‘Fiber' or 'Fibre': What's the Difference?

You might’ve seen both ‘fiber’ and ‘fibre’ in your everyday life. But which one is correct? And what’s the difference between them? We’ll go over that in detail in this article, plus teach you how to use the correct spelling of the word in a sentence.

In short, the difference between these words is:

• ‘Fiber’ is the American English spelling of the word and is predominately used in the U.S.
• ‘Fibre’ is the British English spelling of the word, and it’s used in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Since the words are only appropriate for certain audiences, that means you shouldn’t use them interchangeably (unless your audience changes).

‘Fiber’ or ‘Fibre’ – What’s the Difference?

As you just learned, ‘fiber’ is the American English spelling of the word, and ‘fibre’ is the British English spelling of the word.

You’d typically see the former in the U.S. and the latter outside the U.S. in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

There’s no difference in meaning, just spelling, which means they don’t qualify as homophones.

‘Fiber’ vs. ‘Fiber’ – Which is Correct? 

You might be wondering which one is correct to use in your writing. Well, it depends on where you’re living or what audience you’re writing for.

If you’re writing for an American audience, you will use ‘fiber.’

If you’re writing for an audience outside of America, you will use ‘fibre.’

Definition and Meaning of ‘Fiber’ and ‘Fibre’

To define the word, let’s look at Merriam-Webster’s definition, which is a thread or something similar to a thread (as in a fiber of grass).

It could also mean material made of fibers or an element that gives something texture or substance.

However, it’s also used to refer to the essential structure or character of someone (i.e., the fiber of a person’s being).

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Fiber’ and ‘Fibre’

Unsure of how to pronounce these words? Here’s a short guide.

• To pronounce these words correctly, here’s the phonetic spelling:

How to Use ‘Fiber’ and ‘Fibre’ in a Sentence

Now that you know what the words mean and how to pronounce them, let’s see some examples of how to use them in a sentence correctly.

• He believes aliens are real with every fiber of his being.
• What kind of fiber is this sweater made out of? It’s so soft!
• Suppose I made baby booties with a different kind of fiber. Do you think it would make a difference?
• This fiber feels kind of cheap. How can you sell it for so much money?
• I accidentally got the fiber of my shirt caught in a machine. It tore my whole shirt to shreds.
• How many different fibers do you need to make the costumes for the school play?

Final Thoughts on ‘Fiber’ and ‘Fibre’ 

To recap, we learned that the difference between these words is:

• ‘Fiber’ is the American English spelling of the word and is most often used in the U.S.
• ‘Fibre’ is the British English spelling of the word, and it’s typically used in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

These words cannot be used interchangeably unless your audience changes. Then, they can be swapped out for one another.

If you ever get stuck on usage or meaning, don’t be afraid to come back for a quick refresher. We’ve also got a ton of other content on other confusing words and phrases people often have trouble with when learning the language. Go check it out anytime.