If you have ever hesitated between devide and divide, you’re not alone. The two spellings can sound deceptively similar, especially when the first syllable is spoken quickly.
But there is a simple answer: divide is the correct spelling, while devide is a misspelling.
Whether you’re writing about dividing a bill, dividing numbers in mathematics, or describing a divide between two groups, the spelling remains the same. English does not have a British/American variation here.
This guide explains why devide is such a common mistake, where divide comes from, how its related words are spelled, and how to remember the correct form.
Quick Answer
Divide is the correct spelling.
Devide is a misspelling and should not be used in standard modern English.
| Spelling | Status | Example |
|---|---|---|
| divide | ✅ Correct | Please divide the bill equally. |
| devide | ❌ Incorrect | Please devide the bill equally. |
Correct: We need to divide the work between the team members.
Incorrect: We need to devide the work between the team members.
Why Is “Devide” a Common Mistake?
The confusion is largely caused by pronunciation.
Divide is pronounced roughly as dih-VYDE, with the stress on the second syllable.
Because the first syllable is unstressed, its vowel is not strongly pronounced. When you hear the word rather than see it written, the difference between an i and an e can be easy to miss.
English also contains many familiar words beginning with de-, such as:
- decide
- define
- delay
- describe
- develop
- devote
As a result, devide can look plausible even though it is not the standard spelling.
The important thing to remember is that the spelling is divide, with an i after the initial d.
Where Does “Divide” Come From?
Divide comes from Latin dividere, meaning “to separate” or “to divide.” The word entered English through French and has been used in English since the Middle English period.
Its history also explains why several related English words contain the same div- spelling.
The word family includes:
- divide
- divided
- dividing
- divider
- division
- divisible
- indivisible
- divisive
- dividend
- divisor
Seeing these words together makes the spelling easier to remember.
If you write division and dividend with an i, the base word is divide, not devide.
Divide vs. Devise: What’s the Difference?
Another reason this spelling can be confusing is the word devise.
Divide and devise are historically related, but they have different meanings in modern English.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| divide | Verb/noun | To separate into parts; a separation or gap | Divide the cake into six pieces. |
| devise | Verb | To invent, design, or plan | She devised a new solution. |
Use divide when something is being separated into parts.
We will divide the money equally.
Use devise when someone creates or plans something.
They devised a new strategy.
There is also device, a noun meaning a tool, piece of equipment, or electronic product:
Please turn off your device.
So:
- divide = separate
- devise = plan or invent
- device = a tool or piece of equipment
Common Misspellings of Divide
The mistake does not always appear as devide. Because the same spelling pattern occurs throughout the word family, several related words are sometimes misspelled.
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
| devide | divide |
| devided | divided |
| deviding | dividing |
| devider | divider |
| devision | division |
| devidend | dividend |
| devisible | divisible |
| indevisible | indivisible |
A useful way to catch these errors is to look for devi- when you mean something related to divide.
One important exception is devisor. It is a genuine legal term referring to someone who leaves real property to another person by will. It is unrelated to the mathematical spelling divisor.
How to Use “Divide” Correctly
Divide can function as both a verb and a noun.
Divide as a Verb
As a verb, divide means to separate something into parts, groups, or shares.
Examples:
- Please divide the cake into eight pieces.
- We divided the work between us.
- The teacher divided the students into four groups.
- They divided the profits equally.
- She divides her time between work and study.
Divide as a Noun
As a noun, divide can refer to a separation, gap, or boundary between things.
Examples:
- There is a growing divide between the two communities.
- The digital divide affects access to technology.
- The mountain range forms a continental divide.
Divide + Prepositions
The preposition used with divide can change the construction and meaning.
Divide into
Use divide into when something is separated into parts or groups.
Divide the pizza into eight slices.
The students were divided into three groups.
Divide by
Use divide by in mathematical calculations.
Twelve divided by three equals four.
Divide between
Use divide between when something is distributed between people, places, or things.
She divided her time between two jobs.
Use of Divide among
The money was divided among the five winners.
Divide up
Divide up is an informal phrasal construction meaning to distribute or separate something into portions.
Let’s divide up the remaining tasks.
Share vs. Split vs. Divide
These words can overlap, but they are not always interchangeable.
Divide is broad and works especially well when something is separated into parts, groups, or mathematical quantities.
Divide the class into four groups.
Split often suggests separating something into two or more portions and is common in everyday speech.
Let’s split the bill.
Share emphasizes distribution or giving someone a portion.
We shared the dessert.
In some situations, more than one word can be correct. The best choice depends on what you want to emphasize.
Common Expressions With “Divide”
The word divide appears in many familiar expressions.
Divide and conquer
To separate a larger problem, group, or opponent into smaller parts so each part can be dealt with more easily.
The great divide
A significant separation or difference between two groups, ideas, or positions.
Divided we fall
A traditional expression emphasizing the importance of unity.
Digital divide
The gap between people or communities with different levels of access to digital technology and the internet.
Continental divide
A geographical boundary separating drainage basins, where water flows toward different bodies of water.
Divide in Mathematics
Divide is one of the four basic arithmetic operations.
For example:
20 ÷ 4 = 5
In this equation:
- 20 is the dividend
- 4 is the divisor
- 5 is the quotient
If there is an amount left over, that amount is the remainder.
For example:
12 ÷ 5 = 2 remainder 2
Here:
- 12 = dividend
- 5 = divisor
- 2 = quotient
- 2 = remainder
All of these related terms use the div- spelling, which can help reinforce the spelling of divide.
Is “Devide” Correct in British English?
No.
Divide is the standard spelling in both British and American English.
Unlike differences such as colour/color or organise/organize, there is no British spelling devide.
So whether you’re writing for readers in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere, use:
divide ✅
not:
devide ❌
Divide, Divided, and Dividing
The spelling can become confusing when the word changes form.
Here are the standard forms:
| Form | Correct Spelling | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Base form | divide | Divide the cake. |
| Third-person singular | divides | She divides the work. |
| Past tense | divided | They divided the money. |
| Present participle | dividing | He is dividing the numbers. |
| Noun | division | The division took several minutes. |
| Person/thing that divides | divider | Use a divider between the sections. |
Notice that the spelling remains connected to div-, not dev-.
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
Here are three simple ways to remember divide.
1. Remember “division”
If you know that the noun is division, you can connect it to the spelling of divide.
division → divide
Both begin with div-.
2. Remember the word family
Think of these words together:
divide → divided → dividing → division → dividend → divisor
They all reinforce the same div- spelling.
3. Watch for “devi-“
If you are writing a word related to divide and find yourself typing devi-, stop and check it.
devide ❌
devided ❌
deviding ❌
The standard forms are:
divide ✅
divided ✅
dividing ✅
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some of the most frequent errors:
❌ We need to devide the money.
✅ We need to divide the money.
❌ She devided the students into groups.
✅ She divided the students into groups.
❌ He is deviding the numbers.
✅ He is dividing the numbers.
❌ The devision was difficult.
✅ The division was difficult.
❌ What is the devidend?
✅ What is the dividend?
The same pattern appears repeatedly: use div-, not dev-, for this word family.
Quick Quiz
Test yourself before you leave.
1. Which spelling is correct?
a) devide
b) divide
2. Choose the correct sentence.
a) We need to devide the work.
b) We need to divide the work.
3. Which word means “to invent or plan”?
a) divide
b) devise
4. Which spelling is correct?
a) devision
b) division
5. In 20 ÷ 4 = 5, what is 4 called?
a) dividend
b) divisor
6. Correct this sentence:
She is deviding her time between two jobs.
Answers:
- b — divide
- b — divide
- b — devise
- b — division
- b — divisor
- She is dividing her time between two jobs.
FAQs
Is “devide” a word?
No. Devide is a misspelling of divide in modern standard English.
Is “devide” ever correct in English?
For modern standard English, no. The correct spelling is divide.
Is “devide” British or American spelling?
Neither. Both British and American English use divide.
How do you spell the past tense of divide?
The past tense is divided.
They divided the money equally.
Not devided.
Is it “deviding” or “dividing”?
The correct spelling is dividing.
She is dividing the class into groups.
What is the difference between divide and devise?
Divide means to separate something into parts. Devise means to invent, create, or plan something.
Divide the cake into six pieces.
They devised a new plan.
Is “devisor” a real word?
Yes. Devisor is a legal term for someone who leaves real property to another person by will. In mathematics, however, the correct word is divisor.
What is the difference between dividend and divisor?
The dividend is the number being divided, while the divisor is the number by which it is divided.
In 20 ÷ 4 = 5, 20 is the dividend and 4 is the divisor.
Conclusion: Devide or Divide?
The correct spelling is divide.
Devide is a common spelling mistake caused partly by the similar sound of the first syllable, but it is not the standard spelling.
Remember the related words:
divide → divided → dividing → division → dividend → divisor
They all reinforce the div- spelling.
So if you mean to separate something into parts, write divide, not devide.
Read More:
Hi, I’m Safdar Ali, an English language teacher with 26 years of teaching experience. My expertise is in English linguistics, grammar, and the differences between British and American English.
Through Gramiffy, I share practical, research-based guides to help students, writers, and English learners improve their language skills. My goal is to make English simple, accurate, and easy for everyone to understand.
