---
name: "spell"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "spell"
version: "1.1-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/spell"
---

# spell(1)

GNU Spell, a clone of Unix \`spell'

## NAME

**spell** - GNU Spell, a clone of Unix \`spell'

## SYNOPSIS

```
spell [OPTION]... [FILE]...
```

## DESCRIPTION

**GNU Spell is a spelling checking program which prints each misspelled word on** **a line of its own. It is designed as a clone of the standard Unix \`spell'** **program, and implemented as a wrapper for Ispell.**

**Spell accepts as its arguments a list of files to read from. Within that** **list, the magical file name \`-' causes Spell to read from standard input.** **In addition, when called with no file name arguments, Spell assumes that** **it should process standard input.**

**Spell is most useful when used in conjunction with other programs, because** **its output is minimalistic. Human users are usually more comfortable with** **verbose output.**

## OPTIONS

- **-I, --ispell-version**

  **Print Ispell's version.**

- **-V, --version**

  **Print the version number.**

- **-b, --british**

  **Use the British dictionary.**

- **-d, --dictionary=FILE**

  **Use FILE to look up words.**

- **-h, --help**

  **Print a summary of the options.**

- **-i, --ispell=PROGRAM**

  **Calls PROGRAM as Ispell.**

- **-D, --ispell-dictionary=DICTIONARY**

  **Use the named DICTIONARY to look up words.**

- **-l, --all-chains**

  **Ignored; for compatibility.**

- **-n, --number**

  **Print line numbers before lines.**

- **-o, --print-file-name**

  **Print file names before lines.**

- **-s, --stop-list=FILE**

  **Ignored; for compatibility.**

- **-v, --verbose**

  **Print words not literally found.**

- **-x, --print-stems**

  **Ignored; for compatibility.**

## EXAMPLES

**In the first example below, the words printed on standard output are** **all the (purposely) misspelled words in 'sample' file. Notice the** **options '--print-file-name' and '--number' They are responsible for the** **prefix you see on each line.**

```
    $ spell --print-file-name --number sample
    sample:1: Tihs
    sample:1: si
    sample:1: fo
    sample:1: Splel
    sample:1: worsd
    sample:1: spellled
    sample:1: worng
    sample:2: fi
    sample:2: cna
    sample:2: dael
    sample:2: fiel
    sample:2: Foo
    sample:2: bza
    sample:2: baz
```

**In the following example, spell will analyze a text from single a command** **line.**

```
    $echo "Thiz is an examply" | spell
    Thiz
    examply
```

**After install \`ibrazilian' (# apt install ibrazilian, on Debian systems) is** **possible to use \`brazilian' as dictionary:**

```
    $ echo "Eu sou brasileiro e carioka" | spell -D brazilian
    carioka
```

**To use personal dictionary called mydict.txt:**

```
    $ echo "A little test" | spell -d mydict.txt
```

## FILES

- **~/.ispell\_default**

  **Considering Spell as a wrapper for Ispell, is possible to make a** **personal and complementary dictionary using this file. Insert a word per** **line.**

## SEE ALSO

**[ispell(1)](/ispell/1.md), [aspell(1)](/aspell/1.md)**

## AUTHOR

**Spell was written by Thomas Morgan \<tmorgan@pobox.com\> for the Free Software** **Foundation, Inc.**

**The first version of this manual page was written by Dominik** **Kubla \<dominik@debian.org\>.**

**The current version was fully rewritten by Joao Eriberto Mota** **Filho \<eriberto@debian.org\>.**

**Since the first version, this manual page was written for the Debian** **project (but may be used by others).**