‘Yoghurt' vs 'Yogurt': What's the Difference Between the Two?

By Shanea Patterson, updated on February 9, 2023

The words ‘yoghurt’ and ‘yogurt’ are spelled differently, but when you pronounce them, they sound the same. So, what’s the difference between the two? We’ll go over that in this article, plus you’ll learn how to use them both in a sentence correctly.

Need a quick answer? Here it is:

  • ‘Yoghurt’ is the way the word is spelled in English-speaking countries outside the U.S., such as the UK and New Zealand.
  • ‘Yogurt’ is the way it’s spelled in the U.S.

If your audience changes, you can swap out one spelling of the word for the other.

‘Yogurt’ or ‘Yoghurt’ – What’s the Difference?

You might have come across two different spellings of the word – ‘yoghurt’ and ‘yogurt.’

So, what’s the difference?

Well, the former is the way most English-speaking countries spell the word. But, here in the U.S., we spell it without the ‘h.’

What’s the Correct Spelling – ‘Yogurt’ or ‘Yoghurt’

Well, since both words are used in different parts of the word, it’s safe to say that they’re both correct.

If your audience is in the U.S., use ‘yogurt.’

But if your audience resides outside of the U.S., use ‘yoghurt' in your writing.

Definition and Meaning of ‘Yoghurt’ and ‘Yogurt’

If you don’t already know, the definition of these words, according to Merriam-Webster, is a fermented, slightly acidic, often flavored semisolid food made of milk and milk solids.

There are a few different kinds of yogurt, which includes:

  • Traditional cow’s milk yogurt
  • Greek yogurt
  • Almond milk yogurt
  • Cashew milk yogurt
  • French yogurt
  • Australian yogurt
  • Icelandic yogurt
  • Lactose-free yogurt
  • Drinkable yogurt (Go-gurt)
  • Goat’s milk yogurt
  • Sheep’s milk yogurt
  • Soy yogurt
  • Coconut yogurt
  • Kefir

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Yoghurt’ and ‘Yogurt’

Wondering how to pronounce both words? Here’s a short guide.

  • To pronounce both words correctly, check out the phonetic spelling: YOG-uht

How to Use ‘Yoghurt’ and ‘Yogurt’ in a Sentence

We know what yogurt is and all the different types there are, plus how to pronounce it. Now, let’s see some examples of how to use both words in a sentence.

  • I use to eat yogurt every morning with my breakfast, but these days, I can’t eat it anymore.
  • I like Greek yogurt better than French-style yogurt. There’s something about the consistency.
  • She went into the kitchen to get herself a yogurt and a banana. That’s all she ever ate for lunch.
  • The seniors pranked the freshmen by dumping six pounds of yogurt on them at an assembly.
  • Alright, we can get frozen yogurt at Dairy Queen if you get 100 on your test on Friday.
  • I can eat yogurt until I literally burst open. It’s my favorite snack, but my dad thinks I overeat.

Final Advice on ‘Yoghurt’ and ‘Yogurt’

To recap, we learned that:

  • ‘Yoghurt’ is the British English spelling of the word. It’s also used in countries like New Zealand.
  • ‘Yogurt’ is the American English spelling of the word.

Remember, if your audience changes, you can swap out one spelling of one word for the other.

If you ever get stuck on anything, don’t be afraid to come back and refresh your memory. We’ve got a ton of other content on confusing words and phrases just waiting for you to read it. Go check it out.

We encourage you to share this article on Twitter and Facebook. Just click those two links - you'll see why.

It's important to share the news to spread the truth. Most people won't.

Written By:
Shanea Patterson
Shanea Patterson is a writer based in New York and loves writing for brands big and small. She has a master's degree in professional writing from New York University and a bachelor's degree in English from Mercy College.

Add new comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WritingTips.org Newsletter
Receive information on
new articles posted, important topics, and tips.
Join Now
We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
magnifier