Quiz: Pubicly vs Publically
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Searches for pubicly vs publically are common because both are attempts, successful or not, at spelling one simple word: “publicly.” A missing letter creates “pubicly,” while an extra letter creates “publically.” Only the plain, short form is correct.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| publicly | In a public or open manner; the correct spelling | Adverb (standard) | The mayor publicly apologized. |
| publically | Same intended meaning, nonstandard spelling | Adverb (variant, discouraged) | Avoid: “He publically denied the claim.” |
| pubicly | No real meaning; a misspelling missing a letter | Typo (not a word) | Avoid: “The report was released pubicly.” |
What does “publicly” mean?
“Publicly” is the adverb form of “public,” meaning in a way that is open, visible or known to everyone, rather than in private. It describes how an action is done.
You will see it constantly in news and formal writing: a company publicly announces earnings, an official publicly apologizes, or a decision is made publicly rather than behind closed doors. It is a standard, everyday word with a single accepted spelling.
The spelling follows the usual rule for adjectives ending in “-ic”: add “-ally” to form the adverb, as in “basic” to “basically” or “specific” to “specifically.” “Public,” however, is a well-known exception. It takes only “-ly,” giving “publicly,” not “publically.”
Is “publically” a word?
“Publically” shows up often enough in casual writing that some dictionaries list it as a rare variant, but major style guides and most dictionaries treat “publicly” as the only standard, preferred spelling.
Because “public” breaks the usual “-ic” to “-ically” pattern, writers naturally want to add the extra “al,” by analogy with words like “basically” or “specifically.” That instinct is understandable, but it goes against the accepted exception for “public.” For any formal, academic or professional writing, stick with “publicly.”
Is “pubicly” a real word?
No. “Pubicly” is not a word in any dictionary. It is a spelling slip that drops the first “l” from “publicly,” often from typing quickly or from autocorrect.
Because “pubicly” closely resembles the unrelated word “pubic,” the typo can look especially out of place in professional writing, which is another reason to proofread carefully before publishing anything with this word.
Pubicly vs Publically: How Can You Remember the Correct Spelling?
Start from “public” and simply add “-ly.” No letters are removed, and nothing extra is added. That one small step is the entire rule.
If you are tempted to write “publically,” remember that “public” is an exception to the usual “-ic” word pattern. If you are tempted to write “pubicly,” slow down and check that both L’s from “public” made it into the word. A quick spell check will usually catch either mistake, but it helps to know the right target spelling to begin with.
What are common mistakes with pubicly vs publically?
- ✗ The results were announced pubicly.
✓ The results were announced publicly. - ✗ He publically criticized the decision.
✓ He publicly criticized the decision. - ✗ Publically traded companies must disclose earnings.
✓ Publicly traded companies must disclose earnings. - ✗ She refused to comment pubicly.
✓ She refused to comment publicly. - ✗ The data is publically available.
✓ The data is publicly available.
What are some memory tricks?
- Just add “-ly”: public + ly = publicly, with no extra letters.
- Count the L’s: publicly has two L’s, both from “public” itself, with no third L added anywhere.
- The exception rule: most “-ic” words take “-ally,” but “public” is a famous exception that takes only “-ly.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct spelling: publicly or publically?
“Publicly” is the standard, correct spelling. “Publically” is a nonstandard variant best avoided in formal writing.
Is “pubicly” ever correct?
No. “Pubicly” is always a misspelling of “publicly,” missing a letter.
Why do people write “publically” instead of “publicly”?
Most “-ic” adjectives form their adverb with “-ally,” as in “basically,” so writers often apply that same pattern to “public” by mistake. “Public” is an exception that takes only “-ly.”
Does “publically” ever appear in dictionaries?
Some dictionaries note it as a rare variant spelling, but “publicly” remains the standard, preferred form in professional and formal writing.
How can I avoid misspelling “publicly”?
Build the word from “public” plus “-ly,” with no letters dropped and nothing extra added, and let a spell checker catch any slip.
Conclusion
In the pubicly vs publically debate, there is really only one winner: “publicly,” spelled with no missing or extra letters. Keep “public” plus “-ly” in mind and you will never misspell it again. Share this with someone who mixes these up, then retake the quiz above to see what stuck.