Harbor-Harbour | Commonly Confused Words
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Harbor vs. Harbour

Harbor

/ˈhɑːbə/
A place where boats and ships can be moored safely

Examples:

The town harbors ancient secrets beneath its soil.He harbored hopes of one day becoming an astronaut.She harbors a love for classical music in her heart.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Harbour

/ˈhɑːbə/
A place where ships can dock safely, usually located on a coast or a river.

Examples:

The ship was in the harbour.There were two big harbours, and a hill called "The Spy-glass".I could see the Hispaniola in the harbour to my right.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • The primary difference is in the spelling of the words; harbor is used in American English and harbour is used in British English.
  • Remember that harbor shares the or ending like many American English words, while harbour has the our ending typical of British English spelling.
  • Both words refer to a place of shelter for ships, but check your audience or publisher's preferred spelling style.
  • Think of the u in harbour as representing UK, helping you remember it is the British version.
  • If in doubt, recall that other similar words such as colour also follow the British spelling with our.
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