Have you ever typed “anual leave” instead of “annual leave” and wondered why Google underlines it — even though it sounds right? You’re not alone. English spelling can be tricky, especially when pronunciation doesn’t match what you type. That’s why keywords like annual vs anual, how do I spell anual, and annual vs annually are among the most searched grammar questions online.
Many learners, writers, and professionals wonder: What is the meaning of the word annual? Is “anual” even a real spelling? What is the difference between annual and annually? Is annually every 12 months? These questions reflect a broader confusion between pronunciation, origin, and correct written form.
This article answers them all — with clear grammar explanations, comparative tables, real examples from emails and social posts, and practical tips on which spelling to use in different contexts. We’ll also look at how annual vs perennial and other related terms differ.
By the end, you’ll never mix up annual vs anual again — and you’ll learn when to use annual, annually, and even related ordinal forms like 13th instead of 13rd. Let’s begin.
Annual vs Anual – Quick Answer
Short Direct Explanation:
✔️ Annual = correct spelling
❌ Anual = incorrect in English
Example:
- Correct: “Our annual conference is in June.”
- Incorrect: “Our anual conference is in June.”
Why this matters: Even though anual might look simpler, it’s not recognized in standard English, and search engines, grammar tools, and professional readers all expect annual.
What Does the Word “Annual” Mean?
The word annual means happening once every year or relating to a year.
Common questions include:
- Is annually every 12 months?
Yes — annually describes how often something happens: The meeting is held annually. - What is the difference between annual and annually?
Annual is usually an adjective (describing a noun), while annually is an adverb (describing how something is done).
Examples:
- Annual report (adjective + noun)
- The report is published annually. (adverb)
This distinction is essential in written English, especially in formal contexts such as business, legal documents, exams, and official emails.
The Origin of Annual – And Why “Anual” Is Wrong
To understand the spelling difference, we need a bit of word history:
Annual comes from Latin annus, meaning year. Over centuries, English adopted this root in similar words like:
- Anniversary (a yearly celebration)
- Annals (yearly records)
- Biennial (every two years)
The double n in annual reflects this annus root. The version anual loses that connection, and is simply a misspelling.
Why People Still Use ‘Anual’
- Phonetic typing: English pronunciation doesn’t stress the double “n”.
- Influence of other languages: In Spanish, anual is the correct spelling (e.g., reunión anual). Many second‑language learners transfer this to English.
- Digital autocorrect errors: Sometimes smart keyboards drop a letter.
Tip: If you think “anual” is correct because your native language uses it, always check with English grammar tools or dictionaries — especially for professional writing.
British English vs American English Spelling
Unlike many pairs such as colour vs color or centre vs center, annual does not have variant spellings across English dialects.
| Word Spelling | Region | Correct? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | US English | ✅ | “The annual budget was approved.” |
| Annual | UK English | ✅ | “Our annual festival starts today.” |
| Anual | Any English | ❌ | “The anual exam starts tomorrow.” |
Bottom line:
Both British and American English use annual. There’s no alternative variant like anual or annuel in standard English.
How Do You Spell Annual Leave, Reports, Events & More
People often search “How do you spell annual leave.”
Here’s the answer:
✔️ Correct: annual leave (vacation allowance per year)
❌ Incorrect: anual leave
Other correct combinations:
- Annual report
- Annual summary
- Annual growth
- Annual subscription
- Annual festival
Incorrect:
- Anual event
- Anual growth
- Anual meeting
Tip: If the phrase describes something happening yearly, it almost always needs annual, not anual.
Annual vs Annually – What’s the Difference
This is a very common confusion, and Google Trends shows high search volume for both terms.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Annual (adj.) | Occurring once a year | “Annual review” |
| Annually (adv.) | Happening every year | “We meet annually” |
Examples:
- Wrong: “They publish their report annual.”
- Correct: “They publish their report annually.”
- Correct: “Their annual report is due in May.”
Grammar Tip:
Adjective → modifies a noun
Adverb → modifies a verb
Annual = yearly thing | Annually = yearly action
Common Mistakes With Annual (and How to Fix Them)
Here are real writing errors and how to correct them:
❌ Anual
Incorrect: “We have an anual celebration every October.”
Correct: “We have an annual celebration every October.”
❌ Annual vs Many Years (confused with perennial)
Incorrect: “This plant is annual and lasts many years.”
Correct:
- If it blooms once a year: “This plant is an annual.”
- If it lives longer: “This plant is perennial.”
❌ Using Annual When You Mean Something Else
Incorrect: “This software needs upgrade annual.”
Correct: “This software needs an annual upgrade.”
❌ Annual vs Unspecific Time
Incorrect: “Let’s meet annual.”
Better: “Let’s meet annually.”
Annual vs Perennial – What’s the Difference?
This comes up in science, gardening, and metaphorical writing:
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | Completes life cycle in one year | “Annual plants bloom once a year.” |
| Perennial | Continues for many years | “Perennial flowers return every season.” |
Example Usage:
- Annual flowers need replanting every year.
- Perennial shrubs come back year after year.
Annual in Spanish vs English
This is a source of cross‑language confusion.
- In Spanish, anual is correct and means yearly.
Example: reporte anual, evento anual - In English, annual is correct.
So if you’re writing bilingually, don’t assume Spanish spelling carries over.
Annual vs Anual — Real Usage Examples
📨 In Emails
- “Please submit your annual leave request.”
- “Our annual meeting is scheduled for Friday.”
📰 In News/Reports
- “The stock exchange released its annual financial results.”
- “Attendance at the annual fair jumped 20%.”
💬 On Social Media
- “Don’t miss our annual giveaway starting tomorrow!”
- “#AnnualGoals: Save more, travel more.”
📄 In Formal Writing
- “The annual audit must be submitted by July 31.”
- “The council’s annual review was published today.”
These examples show how annual fits naturally across different English contexts — and how anual always reads like a typo.
Annual vs Anual – Google Trends & Search Insights
While we can’t show live graphs here, current search behavior patterns indicate:
- Searches for annual far exceed anual.
- High volume related queries include:
- annual leave
- annual report
- annual vs annually
- what is the meaning of the word annual
In countries where English isn’t a first language, anual often appears because of interference from other language norms.
This trend aligns with Google’s EEAT (Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness) algorithm signals — correct spelling and clear semantic usage improve content relevance and ranking.
Common Questions About Annual Words
What is the meaning of the word annual?
It refers to something that happens once every year or relates to a year.
Is annually every 12 months?
Yes — annually means “in a yearly manner” (every 12 months).
What is the difference between annual and annually?
Annual modifies nouns; annually modifies verbs.
How do I spell anual?
In English: annual. Anual is wrong.
Comparison Table: Keyword Variations Side‑by‑Side
| Phrase | Correct | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | ✅ | Base adjective |
| Anual | ❌ | Misspelling |
| Annual vs Anual | ✅ | Topic of clarification |
| Annual vs annually | ✅ | Adjective vs adverb |
| Annual in Spanish | ⚠️ Correct in Spanish | Not correct in English |
| Annual leave | ✅ | Common phrase |
| Annual vs perennial | ✅ | Different concepts |
13rd or 13th Meaning — A Related Spelling Lesson
Many writers confuse ordinal numbers the same way they confuse annual vs anual.
- 13th = Correct
- 13rd = Incorrect
English ordinal rules:
- 1 → 1st
- 2 → 2nd
- 3 → 3rd
- 4 → 4th
- 13 → 13th (because “teen” numbers all use th)
Just like English prefers annual over anual, ordinal spelling has rules that must be followed — not just guessed by sound.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
✅ United States: Always use annual and annually.
✅ United Kingdom & Commonwealth: Also annual.
🌍 Global English: Annual is universally correct in English.
⚠️ Only use anual in Spanish or when explicitly writing in Spanish.
For learners, writers, and professionals, following standard spelling supports readability, credibility, and SEO authority — especially under Google’s EEAT framework.
Optional Rich Snippet FAQ (for Google “People Also Ask”)
What is the origin of the word annual?
Comes from Latin annus, meaning “year,” emphasizing yearly recurrence.
What is the correct spelling, annual or anual?
✅ Annual is correct; anual is a misspelling in English.
What is the difference between annual and annually?
Annual is an adjective (annual report), annually is an adverb (published annually).
Is anual ever correct?
Only in Spanish; in English, it’s always annual.
How do I spell annual leave?
Correct spelling: annual leave, not anual leave.
Conclusion
In English grammar, the correct spelling is annual, not anual. The word refers to things that happen every year, and connects directly to the Latin root annus. Understanding the difference between annual (adjective) and annually (adverb) is crucial for accurate writing in reports, emails, academic work, and public content.
Annual vs anual confusion happens largely because of foreign language influence and phonetic assumptions, but standard English uses annual across regions — including the US, UK, and global professional contexts.
Remember: small spelling choices matter. Just like using 13th instead of 13rd, using annual instead of anual improves your writing accuracy, aligns with SEO and EEAT best practices, and ensures your content is taken seriously by both human readers and search engines.
Now, go ahead and proofread your writing with confidence — annual is the correct choice every time!
Jane Austen was an English novelist famed for her sharp wit and timeless stories of love, class, and society, capturing human nature with elegance and humor.
