Pitty or Pity: Which One Is Correct?

Pitty or pity is a common spelling question because both words look believable at first glance. If you’ve seen both versions online, you may wonder if they have different meanings or if one is simply a mistake. The confusion often comes from English words that double certain letters, making it easy to assume pitty follows the same pattern.

The good news is that the answer is straightforward. Modern English dictionaries recognize pity as the correct spelling, while pitty is generally considered a misspelling. Understanding why this happens can help you avoid the mistake and write more confidently in school, business, and everyday communication.

Quick Answer

Pity is the correct English spelling.

Pitty is a spelling error and is not accepted as a standard English word in modern dictionaries.

Always use pity in formal, academic, professional, and everyday writing.

Meaning of Both Spellings

Pity

Pity is both a noun and a verb.

As a noun, it means a feeling of sympathy or sadness for someone who is suffering or experiencing hardship.

Examples:

• I felt pity for the injured animal.
• It is a pity that the event was canceled.

As a verb, it means to feel sorry for someone.

Examples:

• We pity those who lost their homes.
• She did not want anyone to pity her.

Pitty

Pitty has no accepted meaning in standard English. It appears mainly because of a typing mistake, spelling confusion, or lack of familiarity with the correct form.

Pitty vs Pity Comparison

Feature	Pity	Pitty
Correct spelling	Yes	No
Found in dictionaries	Yes	No
Used in professional writing	Yes	No
Accepted in academic English	Yes	No
Recommended spelling	Yes	Never

Origin of Pity

The word pity entered English through Old French pité, which came from the Latin word pietas. Over centuries, its spelling became standardized as pity. There has never been a standard English form spelled pitty.

Because English spelling evolved over many centuries, some words gained double consonants while others did not. Pity has always kept a single t in standard English.

Why the Confusion Exists

Many English learners naturally expect pitty because other familiar words contain double consonants.

Examples include:

• pretty
• little
• kitten
• written

Since English spelling is not always predictable, people sometimes add an extra t where it does not belong. Fast typing and autocorrect errors can also contribute to this confusion.

What Dictionaries Recommend

Leading English dictionaries consistently recognize pity as the correct spelling.

They define it as:

• compassion for another person’s suffering
• sympathy for someone in difficulty
• an unfortunate situation, as in “What a pity.”

The spelling pitty does not appear as a standard dictionary entry because it is considered a misspelling.

Real Life Examples

Correct:

• I felt pity for the abandoned puppy.
• It would be a pity to waste such a great opportunity.
• Please do not pity me.
• She showed pity toward those in need.
• Everyone agreed it was a pity the match was canceled.

Incorrect:

• I felt pitty for the abandoned puppy.
• It is a pitty you could not attend.

Common Mistakes

Many writers accidentally:

• Add an extra t and write pitty.
• Assume both spellings are acceptable.
• Copy the incorrect spelling from social media or informal posts.
• Miss the error because spell check is turned off.

Checking your writing before publishing helps eliminate this mistake.

Easy Memory Trick

Remember this simple phrase:

Pity has one heart and one T.

Or think of it this way:

Pity rhymes with city, and both have one T.

If you remember city, you’ll remember pity.

Professional Writing Recommendation

Always use pity in:

• Academic papers
• Business emails
• Reports
• Books
• Blogs
• News articles
• Marketing content
• Social media posts

Avoid pitty because readers, editors, and spell-check tools will treat it as an error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pitty ever correct?

No. Pitty is not a standard English spelling and should be avoided.

Is pity a noun or a verb?

Both. It can describe sympathy as a noun or the act of feeling sympathy as a verb.

Why do people write pitty?

People often confuse it with English words that contain double consonants or simply make a typing mistake.

Do British and American English spell it differently?

No. Both British and American English use pity.

Will using pitty affect my writing?

Yes. Using pitty can make your writing appear less accurate and may reduce credibility in academic or professional settings.

Conclusion

If you’re deciding between pitty or pity, the correct choice is always pity. It is the only spelling recognized in modern English dictionaries and the only version suitable for formal, academic, and everyday writing. The spelling pitty is simply a common mistake caused by English spelling patterns and typing errors. Whenever you want to express sympathy, compassion, or describe an unfortunate situation, confidently choose pity.