Devine or Divine? The Correct Spelling (2026)

Many people search for “devine or divine” because both words look correct at first glance. English spelling can be tricky. One small letter can change everything.

These two words sound almost the same when spoken. That is why many writers get confused. But only one spelling is correct in standard English.

If you are writing an email, blog post, essay, or business message, using the wrong spelling can hurt your credibility. Even a small spelling mistake can make your writing look unprofessional. So it is important to know the right form.

Here is the simple answer: “Divine” is correct. “Devine” is a misspelling.

In this guide, you will quickly learn the correct spelling, meaning, usage, and which version to use in American and British English.

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Devine or Divine – Quick Answer

Divine is the correct spelling.
Devine is almost always a spelling mistake.

What Does “Divine” Mean?

“Divine” can be:

• An adjective meaning holy, godlike, or wonderful.
• A verb meaning to guess or discover something by intuition.

Examples:

• She has a divine voice.
• The food tastes divine.
• He tried to divine the answer.
• The painting has a divine beauty.

What About “Devine”?

“Devine” is not a standard English word. It is usually:

• A typing error.
• A misspelling of “divine.”
• Sometimes a surname (for example, actor Loretta Devine).

But in normal writing, always use “divine.”

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The Origin of Devine or Divine

To understand why “divine” is correct, we must look at its history.

The word divine comes from the Latin word divinus, which means “of a god” or “godlike.” It later passed into Old French as devin and then into Middle English as divine.

The spelling with “i” has always been the standard English form.

Why Do People Write “Devine”?

There are a few reasons:

1. The pronunciation sounds close to “de-vine.”
2. English words sometimes begin with “de” (like develop, decide, describe).
3. Auto-correct mistakes.
4. Fast typing.

But historically and grammatically, the correct word is divine.

English keeps many old spellings. Even if a spelling looks logical, it may still be wrong. That is what happens here.

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British English vs American English Spelling

Good news: there is no spelling difference between British and American English for this word.

Unlike:

• Color vs Colour
• Center vs Centre
• Judgment vs Judgement

The word divine stays the same in:

• 🇺🇸 American English
• 🇬🇧 British English
• 🇨🇦 Canadian English
• 🇦🇺 Australian English

Comparison Table

Feature	Divine	Devine
Correct spelling	✅ Yes	❌ No
American English	✅ Yes	❌ No
British English	✅ Yes	❌ No
Used in formal writing	✅ Yes	❌ No
Dictionary accepted	✅ Yes	❌ No
Common typing mistake	❌ No	✅ Yes

So whether you write for the US, UK, or global audience, the spelling remains the same: divine.

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Which Spelling Should You Use?

The answer depends on your goal but in almost every case, the answer is the same.

If Your Audience Is in the United States

Use divine.
American dictionaries only accept this spelling.

If Your Audience Is in the UK or Commonwealth Countries

Still use divine.
British dictionaries also use this spelling.

If You Write for a Global Audience

Use divine.
It is universally accepted.

When Could “Devine” Be Correct?

Only when:

• It is someone’s name.
• It is part of a brand or company name.

Example:

• Actress Loretta Devine.
• Devine Law Group (business name).

But for normal vocabulary? Always choose divine.

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Common Mistakes with Divine or Devine

Here are common errors people make:

❌ Mistake 1: Spelling Error

Wrong: The sunset looks devine.
Correct: The sunset looks divine.

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❌ Mistake 2: Auto-Correct Confusion

Some devices change words automatically. Always double-check your spelling before publishing.

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❌ Mistake 3: Mixing with Similar Words

People sometimes confuse:

• Divine
• Divinity
• Diviner
• Devine (misspelling)

All real English forms use the “divin” root, not “devin.”

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❌ Mistake 4: Formal Writing Errors

Using “devine” in:

• Business emails
• Academic essays
• Blog posts
• News articles

This can harm your credibility.

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Devine or Divine in Everyday Examples

Let us see how “divine” appears in daily writing.

In Emails

• The presentation was divine.
• Your design looks absolutely divine.

In News Articles

• The singer delivered a divine performance.
• The cathedral has divine architecture.

In Social Media

• This cake tastes divine!
• That sunset is simply divine.

In Formal Writing

• The poet describes divine grace.
• The philosopher speaks about divine power.

In all these cases, the correct spelling is divine.

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Devine Vs Divine – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search data shows that:

• “Divine” is searched worldwide.
• “Devine” appears mainly as a misspelling.
• The correct spelling dominates in:
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • India

Writers often search “devine or divine” because they are unsure about spelling. Once they learn the rule, they switch to “divine.”

In books, academic papers, and news databases, divine appears millions of times. “Devine” appears mostly as a name.

This confirms that divine is the only correct standard spelling.

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Full Comparison Table: Devine vs Divine

Aspect	Divine	Devine
Part of speech	Adjective, Verb	Not standard
Meaning	Holy, godlike, excellent	None (misspelling)
Accepted worldwide	Yes	No
Formal writing	Correct	Incorrect
Academic use	Correct	Incorrect
SEO friendly	Yes	No
Name usage	Rare	Sometimes surname

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FAQs:

1. Is devine ever correct?

No. It is only correct if it is a person’s name. Otherwise, it is wrong.

2. Why do people spell divine as devine?

Because it sounds similar when spoken. Also, many English words start with “de.”

3. Is there a British spelling difference?

No. Both British and American English use divine.

4. What does divine mean?

It means holy, godlike, heavenly, or wonderful. It can also mean to guess something.

5. Can divine be a verb?

Yes.

Example:

• She tried to divine the future.

6. Is devine in the dictionary?

No major English dictionary lists “devine” as a standard word.

7. How can I remember the correct spelling?

Think of the word divinity.
It keeps the “i” sound and spelling.

Divinity → Divine

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Conclusion:

The confusion between devine or divine is common, but the rule is clear. Divine is the only correct spelling in modern English. It is accepted in American, British, and global usage.

“Devine” is simply a misspelling and should not be used in professional or academic writing. If you are ever unsure, remember the word divinity. it shares the same root and spelling pattern.

Choose divine every time, and your writing will stay clear, correct, and credible.

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