How to spell software

Software is spelled S-O-F-T-W-A-R-E. Soft + ware: the same ware as in hardware and warehouse.

hear itsoft·ware/'sɔft,wɜr/nounLong vowels

What it means: Written programs for computer operation.

In a sentence: My dad uses software to help him work on the computer.

Same family: software engineer, software developer, software update, software development, software program. If you can spell one, the shared part carries to the others.

Where it comes from: The word “software” was formed in the mid-20th century by combining “soft” with “hardware” to describe the invisible programs that make computers work. It plays on the contrast between physical computer parts (hardware) and the ‘soft’ coded instructions that run on them.

Try spelling it

You will hear the word and a sentence. Type it and press Enter. Then four more words from the same level, so you know where you stand.

Everyone has words they always get wrong. Spelling.School finds yours, shows you exactly why you miss them, and uses spaced repetition until you spell them right every time. Five minutes a day. Try five words without signing up.