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Important notice

Writing Tips has been archived and won’t be updated before it is permanently deleted.

For the most up-to-date content, please consult Writing Tips Plus, which combines content from Writing Tips and The Canadian Style. And don’t forget to update your bookmarks!

Search Canada.ca
To begin your search, go to the alphabetical index below and click on the first letter of the word you are searching for.

disc, disk

In general, use the spelling disk when you are referring to computers.

  • Has your hard disk crashed again?
  • The disk drive on my computer is not working.

In Canada, use the spelling disc for all other meanings.

  • Samek bought dozens of compact discs at the garage sale.
  • As people age, the discs in their spines become compressed.
  • Some gardeners believe that shiny, spinning discs—aluminum pie plates, for instance—will frighten crows and other pests.
  • Antoine and Jan were the disc jockeys at last week’s party.

In most instances, disc reflects British and Canadian usage, and disk American.