The correct spelling is M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E

Mortgage is spelled with two G's and two A's: M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E. The word comes from Old French and means "death pledge"—mort for death and gage for pledge. It refers to a loan secured by real estate, where the lender holds a claim on the property until you repay the debt.

The tricky part for most people is the double G in the middle. The first G comes right after the T, and the second G comes right before the final E. Many people misspell it as "mortage" (missing the second G) or "mortgauge" (adding a U that doesn't belong).

When you say the word aloud, you pronounce it "MOR-gij"—the second G sounds like a soft J, which is why people often forget it's there when writing. The silent letters and the soft G sound make spelling from memory difficult, especially when you're filling out loan documents or writing to your lender.

Key Takeaways

  • Mortgage is spelled M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E with two G's, not one.
  • The word comes from Old French meaning "death pledge," referring to a loan backed by property.
  • The second G is silent in speech but essential in writing, which is why it's commonly left out.
  • Related words like mortgagee (the lender) and mortgagor (the borrower) follow the same spelling pattern.
  • You'll see the correct spelling on all official loan documents, bank statements, and real estate contracts.

Why the spelling trips people up

English spelling often doesn't match how words sound, and mortgage is a perfect example. When you say it out loud, the second G blends into the soft J sound at the end, making it nearly inaudible. Your brain hears "MOR-jij" and assumes the spelling should match that sound, so you naturally want to drop the second G when writing.

The word also has an unusual letter combination—T-G-A-G-E—that doesn't appear in many common English words. Your fingers and brain have no familiar pattern to fall back on, so you have to consciously remember each letter in order. This is especially frustrating when you're signing documents or filling out online forms and need to spell it correctly the first time.

Related words that use the same root

Once you know how to spell mortgage, the related words follow the same pattern. A mortgagee is the lender—the bank or institution that loans you the money. A mortgagor is the borrower—the person taking out the loan and pledging the property as security.

Both words keep the full M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E spelling intact, then add a suffix. Mortgagee adds -ee (the one receiving the pledge), and mortgagor adds -or (the one making the pledge). If you can spell mortgage correctly, you can spell these related terms by straightforward adding the suffix to the end. You'll see these terms on loan agreements and legal documents.

How to remember the correct spelling

One way to lock in the spelling is to break the word into chunks: MOR-T-GAGE. The first part is straightforward. The second part—GAGE—is the key. Think of it as a pledge or security deposit (which is what gage means). That double G in GAGE is what makes the word work and what you need to remember when writing.

Another memory trick: the word contains the word "gate" inside it—MOR-T-GATE. Your property is behind a gate, and the lender holds the gate until you pay off the loan. This isn't the true etymology, but it can help you remember that there are two G's and keep you from dropping one when you're writing quickly.

When you're writing and you're unsure, slow down and spell it aloud: M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E. Saying each letter separately forces you to include the second G that your ear naturally skips. This technique works especially well when you're filling out official forms where accuracy matters.

Common misspellings to avoid

The most frequent error is mortage—dropping the second G entirely. This happens because the G is silent in speech and straightforward to forget when writing quickly. Another common mistake is mortgauge, which adds a U that doesn't belong, possibly because people confuse it with words like "gauge" or "vague."

Less common but still seen: mortage (one G), mortage (missing the second A), and mortgige (changing the A to an I). None of these are correct. The standard spelling in English is always M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E, and this is the only version you'll find on official documents and in any reputable source.

Where you'll see the word spelled out

You'll encounter the correct spelling on loan documents, bank statements, property deeds, and real estate contracts. Lenders and title companies are careful about spelling because these documents are legal records. If you're signing a mortgage agreement, the word will always appear as M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E.

Online banking platforms, mortgage calculators, and real estate websites also use the correct spelling consistently. If you're ever unsure while filling out a form or writing an email to your lender, you can copy the spelling directly from any official document you've received. This ensures you're using the exact spelling that matches your loan paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mortgage spelled differently in British English?

No. Mortgage is spelled the same way in British English, American English, and other English-speaking countries: M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E. The spelling is standardized across all varieties of English and all English-speaking nations.

Why does mortgage have a silent G?

The word comes from Old French, where the G was pronounced. Over centuries, English speakers stopped pronouncing the second G, but the spelling stayed the same. This is common in English—many words retain letters from their original languages even after pronunciation changes.

What's the difference between a mortgagee and a mortgagor?

A mortgagee is the lender (usually a bank), and a mortgagor is the borrower (you). Both words use the same root spelling, M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E, with different suffixes added to show who is doing what in the loan agreement.

Can I use mortgage as a verb?

Yes. You can say "I mortgaged my house" meaning you took out a loan using the house as security. The verb form keeps the same spelling: mortgage, mortgaged, mortgaging. The past tense adds -ed, and the present participle adds -ing, but the root spelling stays M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E.