Skip to Content

Nucular Vs Nuclear, What’s The Correct Spelling To Use?

Nucular Vs Nuclear, What’s The Correct Spelling To Use?

The way people speak, pronounce and write words often depends on their linguistic background and experience. Today we will have the opportunity to study a word duo that often generates discussions and polemics among people: “nucular” and “nuclear.” Which of these two terms is the correct spelling?

The word “nuclear” is everything that is at the nucleus or center of something. “Nuclear” also means something that is the main thing, that which is more important than anything else. In comparison, “nucular” is an approximate and incorrect phonetic spelling of the word “nuclear.”

We can ask ourselves what happened to make people pronounce and spell some words the way they do. Many times linguistic changes are gradual and historical processes. These changes occur due to social interaction, hearing errors, misspellings maintained over time, or the way “prominent” people pronounce or spell words. Today, we will respond to all your queries and give you relevant and exciting information about the terms “nuclear” and “nucular.”

nuclear particle

What Is The Definition Of The Term “Nuclear”?

The first point we will discuss in this article is the definition of the word “nuclear.” In the following sections, we will see some of its primary formal meanings.

Nuclear As An Adjective

  • Relating to atomic weapons or involving their use.
  • Something operated or powered by atomic energy.
  • A country or group of countries that possess atomic weapons.
  • Everything related to nuclei.
  • About the power produced when the central part of an atom fragments or bonds with another atom.
  • Relating to the nuclear family.

Nuclear As A Noun

  • “Nuclear energy.

Apart from these formal definitions of the word “nuclear,” it is essential to understand that this word also has a primary definition: everything that is at the core or center of something. Anything that is more important than anything else.

The word “nuclear” is everything related to the cell’s nucleus in chemistry and physics, such as the nuclear membrane.

What Is The Origin Of The Term “Nuclear”?

To learn a little more about the emergence of the word “nuclear” up to the present day, we will now look at a brief chronology of the evolution of nuclear and its various significance.

  • In 1841, nuclear adopted the definition of “as the nucleus of a cell,” influenced by the French “nucléaire.”
  • In 1912, nuclear adopted the definition of “something central.”
  • In 1914, nuclear adopted the definition of “belonging to the nucleus of an atom” in the field of atomic physics.
  • In 1930, the concept of nuclear energy appeared.
  • In 1933, the concept of nuclear physics appeared.
  • In 1949, the concept of the nuclear family appeared.
  • In 1954, the concept of nuclear war appeared.
  • In 1983, the concept of nuclear winter appeared.

What Does The Word “Nucular” Mean?

  • The word “nucular” is an approximate and incorrect phonetic spelling of the word “nuclear.”
  • “Nucular” is a word that people use colloquially as a phonetic way of pronouncing the word “nuclear” (noo-kyuh-lurh).
  • In botany, it is something shaped like a nut. It is the section of a compound fruit that is usually hard.

Controversy With The Word “Nucular”

Regarding the word “nucular,” there are opposing positions on the validity of this term. Many people disapprove of the use of “nucular” because it is a complete deformation in the pronunciation and spelling of “nuclear.” For these people, “nucular” does not exist as a word.

This trend sees with astonishment and annoyance how “nucular” is gaining more and more attention every day in different sources dedicated to the linguistic subject.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary

In its FAQ section, this dictionary explains a fascinating fact. Many educated speakers, such as scientists, professors, congressmen, lawyers, even two presidents, and a United States vice president, have regularly used “nucular.” They add that there are also British and Canadian speakers who are using it.

The American Heritage Dictionary

This dictionary explains that the pronunciation (noo-kyuh-lurh) exemplifies how an incorrect but well-known pronunciation can influence a lesser-known pronunciation.

The Oxford English Dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary indicates that the word “nucular” has received much criticism regarding its use since the mid-20th century. However, many modern dictionaries now place it as a variant in specific modern dictionaries.

What Is The Origin Of The Word “Nucular”?

  • Regarding “nucular,” we find the first record in the year 1940 regarding its use in the field of botany.
  • The first record of the word “nucular” is a colloquial pronunciation of nuclear,,” corresponds to the year 1943.

Relevant Aspects To Consider With The Word “Nucular”

Below we will review a series of interesting facts that revolve around this controversial word.

  • What happens with the word “nucular” is an example of what linguists call metathesis. Metathesis is the change of two adjacent sounds: “noo-klee-ar” for “noo-kyuh-lurh.”
  • This change by people is because the ending “ular” is extremely common in English and significantly more common than “lear.” Examples of this familiarity with the ending “ular” are particular, circular, spectacular, molecular, muscular.
  • The 1961 edition of the Merriam-Webster dictionary was the first to include the word “nucular.” At the time, the editors received tons of complaints from readers. Today, Merriam-Webster sends every reader who complains a 400-word response letter to defend itself.
  • Among “nucular” users are U.S. Presidents Eisenhower, Carter, Clinton, and George W. Bush.

How Do People Use The Word “Nuclear”?

We already know that “nuclear” is a word we can refer to as anything at the core or center of something. We also know that “nuclear” indicates something is significant above all other things. But now, let’s review the important use of the term “nuclear” in different fields of contemporary life.

The Word Nuclear In Physics’ Field

Nuclear in the physics field deals with studying atomic nuclei, their components, and their interactions. It also explores other forms of nuclear matter.

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the breakdown of atomic nuclei (fission) or the combination of atomic nuclei (fusion). This engineering field also performs the design and maintenance of systems and components of reactors, power plants, or armaments.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy deals with atomic reactions to generate electricity. Most of the electricity from nuclear power comes from the nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium.

Nuclear Reactors

The nuclear reactor is a device used to trigger and control a nuclear chain reaction. Scientists use these reactors to produce electricity for marine atomic propulsion.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear in medical science is a medical specialty that involves applying radioactive substances to diagnose and treat diseases.

Nuclear Art

Nuclear art is a pictorial trend that occurred in Italy in the 1950s. Since 1952, this trend has focused on science fiction and informal art.

nuclear word with other related words

Examples Of The Use Of The Word “Nuclear” In Everyday Sentences

Our analysis cannot be complete without examples that illustrate the use of the word “nuclear” in actual sentences. Here are some examples of the use of the word “nuclear.”

  • World War II ushered in the era of nuclear weapons.
  • Companies should not dump nuclear waste in the ocean.
  • Nuclear cell division is an area that can help treat many pathologies.
  • Jacob presented his research on nuclear physics; next week, the jury will give him the final result.
  • Hopefully, we will never again see a nuclear bomb explode.
  • The deactivation of all nuclear weapons should be the priority of all governments.

A Final Thought On The Words “Nucular” And “Nuclear”

Mispronunciation is the act or habit of pronouncing a word in a way that is considered non-standard, unconventional, or faulty. The words we discuss today are a vivid example of this. We have the word “nucular,” which is an obvious deformation of the word nuclear. Still, at the same time, it has a group of people who use it, and there are already dictionaries that include it in their lists.

But on the other hand, we have the word “nuclear”, which is the only and correct version of the definition that contains it. The reality is that it is the people who create the words in their respective eras. Every year the language academies incorporate new words that did not exist centuries ago. Everything is a product of people’s daily interactions. Beyond debating one position or the other, the best thing to do is to be informed and to know both currents for the benefit of our linguistic development.