Volume vs Volumn Quiz: Test Yourself
Five quick questions on volume vs volumn. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.
Flip Cards: Quick Review
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Noun: loudness, amount of space, or a book.
“Please turn down the volume.”
Not a word. A misspelling of volume.
“Write volume, not volumn.”
A real word with a silent n at the end.
“A column of smoke rose from the fire.”
Adjective: very large or full.
“She wore a voluminous coat.”
Volume vs volumn is a spelling slip that is easy to make and easy to fix. The word is common, yet the extra n sneaks in because several similar-looking words end in -mn. Once you know why, the correct spelling sticks.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | Loudness of sound; the amount of space something occupies; a book, especially one of a set | Noun | The volume of the box is twenty liters. |
| Volumn | Not a word; a misspelling of volume | Misspelling | Write “volume” instead. |
| Column | A tall pillar, a vertical stack, or a regular newspaper feature | Noun; real -mn word | He writes a weekly column for the paper. |
| Voluminous | Very large or full; filling a lot of space | Adjective | The library holds a voluminous collection of maps. |
Volume vs Volumn: Which Spelling Is Correct?
Volume is correct and volumn is wrong. The word is spelled v-o-l-u-m-e and ends in a silent e, not an n.
Dictionaries list volume only. Spell-checkers will flag volumn immediately, and the error can look careless in an email, an essay or a product description.
What does volume mean?
Volume is a noun with three main senses: the amount of space something takes up or contains, the loudness of a sound, and a book, especially one that is part of a set. It also means a quantity of something, as in “sales volume.”
The word goes back to the Latin volumen, “a roll” or “scroll,” from volvere, “to roll.” In English it first meant a bound book or a rolled document in the late 14th century, which is why it is related to revolve. Later it widened to mean size, quantity and, in the 19th century, the loudness of sound, according to Merriam-Webster. It is pronounced VOL-yoom.
Is volumn a word?
No, volumn is not a word in standard English. It is simply a misspelling of volume.
There is no dictionary entry for it, and it does not appear in any other recognized form, such as a regional variant. If you see volumn in print, it is an error.
Why do people misspell volume as volumn?
People write volumn mostly by analogy with other words that end in a silent n after m, such as column, autumn, hymn and condemn. Once the brain learns the pattern “-mn,” it can apply it where it does not belong.
Another possible influence is the spelling of volumen in Spanish and German, which does end in n. Someone who knows those languages may carry that spelling into English without noticing.
Which words really end in -mn?
Only a small group of English words end in a silent n after m, including column, autumn, hymn, condemn, solemn and damn. Volume is not one of them.
Learning that short list helps. If the word is not on it, finish with -me or -m, not -mn.
How can you remember which one to use?
Remember that volume ends like resume, costume and perfume: -ume. There is no n at the end, and the last sound you hear is “oom.”
Common mistakes
- ✗ Please turn down the volumn.
✓ Please turn down the volume. - ✗ The volumn of the tank is fifty liters.
✓ The volume of the tank is fifty liters. - ✗ This is the second volumn of the series.
✓ This is the second volume of the series. - ✗ Sales volumn doubled this year.
✓ Sales volume doubled this year. - ✗ The volumn button on my phone is broken.
✓ The volume button on my phone is broken.
Memory tricks
- Think -ume. Volume ends like resume, costume and perfume. None of them take an n.
- Hear the “oom.” Say VOL-yoom out loud. The last sound is “oom,” which is spelled -ume.
- Learn the exceptions. Column, autumn, hymn and condemn are the silent-n words. Volume is not on the list.
FAQ
Is it volume or volumn?
It is volume. Volumn is a common misspelling and not a word in standard English.
Is volumn a word?
No. Volumn is not a word. The correct spelling is volume, ending in e.
How do you spell volume?
Volume is spelled v-o-l-u-m-e. It ends like resume and costume, with no n at the end.
Why do people write volumn?
People often write volumn by analogy with words like column and autumn, which end in a silent n after m.
What does volume mean?
Volume can mean the loudness of a sound, the amount of space something takes up, or a book that is part of a set.
Conclusion
In the volume vs volumn question, volume is the only correct spelling. Remember that it ends like resume and costume, and leave the silent n to column and autumn. Share this with someone who mixes these up.