Ever stood in a store, typing “hoodie or hoody” into your phone, trying to figure out which one’s correct before hitting the checkout button? You’re not alone. This spelling confusion has puzzled casual shoppers, style bloggers, and even seasoned writers. So which is it—hoodie or hoody?
Let’s pull back the hood and explore what’s actually correct, when to use which spelling, and how both spellings have made their way into modern English.
What Does “Hoodie” or “Hoody” Actually Mean?
At its core, both hoodie and hoody refer to the same thing: a hooded sweatshirt—a garment designed for comfort and casual wear, often with drawstrings and a front pocket.
Whether you’re wearing a pullover hoody, zip-up hoodie, or a fleece hoodie, the purpose stays the same: warmth and laid-back style.
| Term | Meaning | Common Variants |
|---|---|---|
| Hoodie | Hooded sweatshirt (common spelling) | Casual hoodie, zip-up hoodie |
| Hoody | Alternate spelling for hoodie | Pullover hoody |
| Hooded top | Another name for a hoodie | Hooded pullover, fleece hoodie |
Hoodie or Hoody: The Preferred Spelling
“Hoodie” is the preferred spelling in American English and most international style guides. It’s the form you’ll find in major dictionaries like:
- Merriam-Webster
- Oxford English Dictionary
- Cambridge Dictionary
Meanwhile, “hoody” is considered an accepted variant—used less frequently and mostly in British English or by certain brands aiming for a unique identity.
📚 Dictionary Snapshot
| Dictionary | Hoodie Listed | Hoody Listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford Dictionary | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Hoodie is the main entry; hoody as variant |
| Merriam-Webster | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Only lists “hoodie” |
| Collins Dictionary | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Both accepted; hoodie more common |
Fun Fact: According to the Google Ngram Viewer, usage of “hoodie” surged in popularity from the early 2000s and remains dominant today.
Hoodie or Hoody in Casual and Formal Contexts
You’ll almost never hear the term hoodie used in formal writing—unless you’re discussing fashion, design, or consumer trends. It’s largely a casual term used in everyday language, spoken English, or informal writing.
Hoody, while understood, may come off as a typo or look outdated depending on your audience.
👇 Context Matters
| Context Type | Recommended Spelling | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion Blogs | Hoodie | “Pair your hoodie with distressed jeans.” |
| Retail Catalogs | Hoodie | “New arrivals: fleece hoodie collection.” |
| British Magazines | Hoody (sometimes) | “This lightweight hoody is ideal for spring.” |
| Academic Paper | Hooded Sweatshirt | “Students preferred hooded sweatshirts over blazers.” |
Why Do People Use “Hoody”?
There’s no real grammar rule behind the spelling “hoody.” It follows the same pluralization pattern as other words ending in -y. Just like:
- Baby → babies
- City → cities
- Hoody → hoodies
Still, “hoody” exists because of phonetic spelling—it reflects how the word sounds when spoken aloud. Some writers or brand marketers choose “hoody” to make it look friendly, unique, or more in tune with youth culture.
Spelling Trends by Region
Language is constantly shifting, and English has many variants. So where you live might determine which version you see more often.
🌎 Regional Spelling Differences
| Region | Common Spelling | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Hoodie | Dominates retail, media, and online searches |
| United Kingdom | Hoodie / Hoody | Both accepted; hoody seen in streetwear brands |
| Australia | Hoodie | Hoodie widely used; hoody is very rare |
| Canada | Hoodie | Follows US spelling trends |
Quote from Oxford Style Guide:
“The spelling ‘hoodie’ has become standard in editorial and branding contexts. ‘Hoody’ may be encountered occasionally but lacks mainstream adoption.”
Plural Form: Hoodies or Hoodys?
The plural form follows basic English grammar rules:
- If the word ends in a consonant + y, drop the “y” and add “ies” → hoody → hoodies
- If it ends in vowel + y, just add “s” → (not applicable here)
✅ Correct:
- Hoodies
- Fleece hoodies
- Casual hoodies
❌ Incorrect:
- Hoodys
- Hoodiees
- Hoodeys
This applies regardless of whether you’re writing “hoodie” or “hoody.”
Common Usage Examples
Want to see these in action? Here are some real-world usage examples for both spellings.
Hoodie in Sentences:
- “I bought a new hoodie for winter.”
- “Her pink fleece hoodie matched her sneakers.”
- “He pulled up his hoodie and disappeared into the crowd.”
Hoody in Sentences:
- “The label sells vintage-style hoody tops.”
- “Grab your hoody before we head out.”
Why Spelling Consistency Matters
While both forms are recognized spellings, choosing one and sticking with it improves your writing clarity and professionalism.
- In brand writing, consistency boosts trust.
- In academic or journalistic writing, deviating from the standard (“hoodie”) could be seen as a mistake.
- In blog posts, especially in standard English, using “hoodie” aligns with reader expectations.
Style Guide Recommendations
| Style Guide | Suggested Spelling | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AP Stylebook | Hoodie | Avoid nonstandard spellings |
| Chicago Manual Style | Hoodie | Use dictionary-backed forms |
| British English Guides | Hoodie/Hoody | Hoody accepted in informal texts |
| MLA / APA | Hoodie | Matches dictionary standard |
Writing Tips for Using Hoodie or Hoody
If you’re a writer, blogger, or student, here are a few grammar tips and language guidance to keep in mind when choosing between hoodie or hoody.
✍️ Writing Tips:
- Use “hoodie” in all formal or professional writing
- Only use “hoody” if it fits your brand voice or target audience
- When in doubt, check the dictionary
- Stick with one spelling throughout your text
- Use standard English unless there’s a good reason not to
Hoodie vs. Hoody in Branding
Many clothing brands prefer “hoodie” because it aligns with Google search behavior and customer expectations. However, some streetwear labels use “hoody” to create a distinctive voice.
Notable Brand Examples:
- Nike: “Nike Sportswear Club Fleece Hoodie”
- Adidas: “Adidas Essentials Fleece Hoodie”
- Superdry (UK brand): Sometimes uses “Hoody” in product titles
- Jack & Jones: Mix of both, depending on the region
These aren’t just fashion choices—they’re marketing decisions influenced by spelling familiarity and search engine trends.
Hoodie or Hoody on Google Trends
To wrap it all up, let’s take a quick look at Google Trends data over the past 5 years.
📊 Search Interest: Hoodie vs. Hoody
| Term | Global Search Volume | Dominant Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Hoodie | 550K/month+ | USA, Canada, Australia |
| Hoody | 22K/month | UK, Ireland, some EU |
🟦 “Hoodie” outperforms “hoody” in every major English-speaking market.
🟧 “Hoody” sees occasional spikes in UK-based fashion searches, but remains a niche term overall.
Final Verdict: Hoodie Is the Winner
So, is it hoodie or hoody? Here’s the verdict:
- ✅ Use hoodie in nearly all situations: writing, branding, journalism, SEO, and daily speech.
- 🤷 Use hoody only if your target audience or brand identity calls for it.
- ❌ Avoid switching between both spellings in the same article or document.
✅ Quick Recap
- Hoodie = most common, recognized, and correct spelling in standard English.
- Hoody = valid but rare variant, usually informal or regional.
Bonus: Hoodie-Related Vocabulary
Here’s a quick-reference list of related terms to enrich your vocabulary.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Zip-up Hoodie | Hoodie with a front zipper |
| Pullover Hoodie | Hoodie without a zipper |
| Fleece Hoodie | Soft hoodie made from fleece |
| Hooded Sweatshirt | Formal name for a hoodie |
| Hooded Garment | General term for any clothing with a hood |
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re a fashion lover, an English learner, or just trying to choose the right spelling for your next blog post, knowing when to use hoodie or hoody helps you write with confidence and clarity. Stick to “hoodie” unless you’ve got a creative reason to go rogue.
Still unsure which one to pick? Just ask yourself: “What would my audience expect to see?” Nine times out of ten, the answer is: hoodie.