Theater and Theatre are the most common confusing words in the English language with a different spelling but having the same meaning. At the first insight, it may signal to any reader or writer that there may not appear a significant variation between these two words and both of them serve the same function of conveying a particular idea or concept.
However, there appear to be subtle differences between them, especially from a dialect standpoint.
Theater vs Theatre
The main difference between Theater and Theatre is that Theater is a word commonly used in American English whereas Theatre is a word commonly used in British English. However, the above is not the only difference. A comparison between both the terms on certain parameters can shed light on subtle aspects:
Comparison Table Between Theater and Theatre (in Tabular Form)
| Parameter of Comparison | Theater | Theatre |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Same meaning as that of Theatre i.e. a venue where plays or events are held or to denote a performance.
However, some people may relate Theater to the structure or the venue or the place where the entertainment or drama is taking place. | Same meaning as that of Theater i.e. a venue where plays or events are held or to denote a performance.
However, some people may relate Theatre to the actual drama or art form. |
| What is the spelling difference? | The alphabet “e” is used as the second last alphabet | The alphabet “r” is used as the second last alphabet |
| Is this word used commonly in British English? | No | Yes |
| Is this word used commonly in American English? | Yes | No |
| Is it fully adopted in America? | Yes | No |
| Is this word included in the Merriam-Webster dictionary? | Yes, because this dictionary is based on American English and this dictionary intended to simplify the words to relate to their easy and correct form of pronunciation | No, only the word “Theater” is included |
| Origination of word | France | Greece |
| Is this word too old or new? | A new word which emerged in the 14th century | Very old dating back to 300 BC |
| Which is more common | Only common concerning US English and that too used in few countries | Theatre is more common as it is very old and used in many countries |
What is Theater?
Theater means a building/area for showing motion pictures or dramatic performance. Theater can also mean any dramatic literature or a dramatic representation as art or profession.
Theater can also relate to a place of enactment of significant events or activities or can be considered as a room with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (example for lectures). Theater can also mean entertainment in the form of a drama.
The word Theater was first coined in France and then spread to other European countries and the rest of the world. The theater is the most commonly used word in America to describe an entertainment or movie venue. The word Theater is frequently in use in North America to denote someone going to a movie.
What is Theatre?
Theatre means a building, room, or outside format with seat rows and each seat row commonly elevated than the one in fore-end, from which people can watch a performance or other activity.
Theatre can also refer to the writing or performance of plays, opera, etc. which are performed in public or work in the form of acting or writing plays.
Theatre can also relate to a behavior that is not considered sincere and is intended to produce a specific effect or to stimulate curiosity. Theatre can also refer to an area or place of happenings for significant military events.
The word Theatre is a genesis of United Kingdom English. Theatre was coined almost ages ago in Athens, Greece around 322 BC. Theatre is now mostly used in the UK and pronounced with a British accent
Theatre is used sparingly under American English and adopted since the last 50-60 years. However, there is still some opposition to using this word completely in the United States.
Main Differences Between Theater and Theatre
- The theater is trusted to emanate from France. Theatre is said to have been coined from Greece.
- The theater is a word commonly used in the United States (i.e. US English system). Theatre is used in the United Kingdom (i.e. the UK English system) and other countries.
- The theater is a word that emerged in prominence in the 14th century and hence considered as relatively new. Theatre is believed to have originated in 300 BC and hence very old.
- The theater is a word used in the United States since its origination. Theatre is only used for the last 50 years or so in the United States but with not much success.
- Theater word usage will be a preferred option for American writers and/or American audiences. Theatre word usage will be a preferred option for UK writers and/or UK audiences.
- In America, some people may still use the word Theater and Theatre in a different way such as Theater for a venue or an entertainment place and Theatre for an art or drama form.
Conclusion
Theater and Theatre are words that can both be used as a noun (such as cinema, public entertainment venue, building, room or can be used to indicate any art or activity of writing and performing plays, or public performance of plays).
That means the words can be related to any activity, vocation or a place of presentation of or displaying any plays.
Theater and Theatre, when used in writing, may present certain confusion and may question the writer with the correct choice to be made in the specific scenario. To add to this confusion are the facts that both Theater and Theatre refer to a drama or event or a place of performance and have the same pronunciation.
The best or prudent approach in the above perspective would be to consider the publication under which the writing is sought or made and the intended audience.
If the publication is a British one and the audience is British or who follow a British culture or mindset, the apt choice would be to use the word Theatre. If the publication/audience is an American one, use the word Theater.
References
- https://www.dictionary.com/browse/Theater
- https://www.britannica.com/art/Theatre-art