Spell checkers (also called spell checks) are software programs that analyze the spelling of words in documents. Spell checks may be stand-alone or built into text editors, word processors, operating systems, or web browsers.
Spell checkers were first developed for mainframe computers during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and these early checks mainly consisted of checking misspellings within one language, such as English.
Most spell checkers today rely on dictionaries that contain a list of allowed words to check the spelling you are trying to edit. Meanwhile, the spell checker will mark any word not present as an error.
Spell checkers exist to assist in correcting the spelling of documents you send or print, such as to clients or managers. Their importance can only grow with documents intended for public consumption – misspelled words could appear unprofessional if your paper contains them.
You can configure various options with your spell checker, such as excluding words with all caps or numbers from its analysis and suggesting corrections for you.
Most spell checkers highlight words they believe may be misspelled, allowing you to right-click them and select the appropriate spelling from a list of options.
Spell check is an indispensable feature of dictionaries, helping ensure all words are spelled accurately and used appropriately in context. Spell check can especially come in handy for students learning how to read and write, helping prevent embarrassing or confusing mistakes from being made when making sentences and essays.