Grey and gray are two different spellings of the same word. Gray is more common in the U.S., while grey is more common in other English-speaking countries. In proper names—like Earl Grey tea and the unit Gray, among others—the spelling stays the same, and they need to be memorized.
However, gray is the more popular spelling in the US, while grey reigns supreme in the UK as well as Ireland, Australia, and other places that use British English.
How to Use "Gray" The spelling "gray" (with an “a”) is more common in American English. Therefore, if you are writing for an American audience, use "gray" when you mean the color.
Of the two, gray occurs more frequently in American English, while grey has historically been the spelling preferred by British English publications. It derives from the Old English grǣg.
In general, the "gray" spelling is more popular in American English, and the "grey" spelling is more popular in British English. This means that America is the only country where "gray" is the more common spelling. In countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia, "grey" is much more common.
"Agreeable Gray SW 7029 is our most popular gray paint color because it's the perfect hue for any living space, whether it be a family room or bedroom," says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.
'The rule of thumb being match cool greys with other "chill" colours such as blue, pale greens and cool white. And match darker grey tones with warm tones such as burnt orange, mustard, and teal.' We asked interior stylists and design experts to share their tips on the best colours that go with grey.
As a color, either spelling is correct. In most cases, you can use gray and grey interchangeably. Occasionally, you'll see the spelling used to differentiate between different shades on color swatches, but this isn't necessary. Any shade between black and white can be spelled with an 'e' or 'a' as the vowel.
Summary of Gray and Grey
When referring to the color, spell gray for your American audience and grey for British and other audiences. But if you're using proper nouns and names, follow the correct spelling, such as Greyhound, Fifty Shades of Grey, and greyling.
The spelling tends to vary based on the version of English: In US English, 'gray' is standard. In UK English, 'grey' is more common.
Of all the neutrals, gray is the one that always held the most gravitas with designers and decorators, however, gray is slowly being replaced by beige. Elegant and timeless in their simplicity, beige schemes have become a stalwart in the world of interiors.
Avoid orange and warm accent colors. They will bring out the blue grey cool tones and make the walls look even colder. If you have cherry or golden oak floors or cabinets – don't choose a cool toned gray. It WILL look blue.
Grey is the standard spelling in Australian English. Gray is the standard spelling in American English.
American English uses 'or' in words like 'color', 'favor' and 'labor'. Australian English uses 'our', as in 'colour', 'favour' and 'labour'.
Examples: British and Australian: Colour. American: Color.
Agreeable Gray is one of the most popular gray paint colors for a reason. It's a beautiful, natural, soft color that works with a variety of different design styles. It's versatile, too, looking great in both light and dark rooms. Agreeable Gray also pairs well with most wood tones.
After years of seeing all-gray-everything, it seems interior trends are officially shifting away from the palette that became a staple in the early 2000s. According to some experts, there isn't a moment too soon to say goodbye to gray. But, don't bust out the paintbrushes quite yet.
If your walls are already gray and you're selling soon – don't worry, it's all good. Gray is still popular enough that your home won't look outdated. However, if you have a room or two that need freshening up, I suggest transitioning into a more modest neutral or at least a good white paint color.
Both spellings come from the Old English word grǽg. Then, in the fourteenth century, the spelling greye appeared in the French poem “Roman de la Rose.” Over time, the second E was dropped, and grey became the most common spelling, with gray as a secondary, less prominent spelling.
Light grey is a mix of black and white that is closer to white. These can also be tinged with other colors. This is perceived as a solemn, formal, conservative and dull color that is associated with rain clouds, stone, cold weather and aging.
The gray hex code is #808080.
Cool Gray. A great alternative to a white paint color is a light cool gray, which can feel fresh and bright without the starkness of pure white. Cool colors feel fresher and brighter than warm ones, so it helps visually create the appearance of more space.
Because grey comes in all different shades and often has hints of different colors, it can truly go with almost any color. The main thing to be wary of is wearing multiple shades of grey at once. If you're going to combine greys, keep them the same shade.
For those of you who had doubts, wearing grey on grey is totally doable. In fact, variations of the monochromatic look have been popping up on fashion blogs and Instagram accounts all winter season.