Tattoed vs. Tattooed: Which Is Correct?

"Tattoed" is an incorrect spelling of the word "tattooed."
"Tattooed" is the "-ed" form of the verb "tattoo," referring to the permanent marking of the skin with ink or pigment.

For example...

❌ She tattoed a dragon on her forearm last summer.

✅ She tattooed a dragon on her forearm last summer.

What does "tattooed" mean?

"Tattooed" is the "-ed" form of the verb "tattoo." As a simple past tense verb, "tattooed" indicates that the action of creating a tattoo occurred at a specific point in the past. "Tattooed" can also be the past participle form of "tattoo" and is thus used as an adjective as well.

Tattoo (verb - transitive)

To mark (a person or body part) with a tattoo.
To decorate (an object) with a design resembling a tattoo.

Tattooed (adjective; past participle)

(of a person or body part) Marked with a permanent design or pattern made by inserting coloured pigment into the skin under the epidermis.
(of an object) Decorated with a design or pattern resembling a tattoo.

The use of "tattooed" and "tattoed" over time

The Ngram graph below shows how often "tattooed" and "tattoed" have been used from the 1800s to the 2000s. "Tattooed" has experienced an increase in use in the last twenty years, while its misspelling "tattoed" has always seen nearly zero use.

How to pronounce "tattooed"

In American English and British English, "tattooed" is pronounced nearly identically. The stress is typically on the second syllable. One minor difference is that in American English, the first vowel may sound more like "a" in "cat."

Phonetic Pronunciation: tuh-TOOD
tuh: Pronounced like "tuh," rhyming with "duh."
TOOD: Rhymes with "food."

Why would we misspell "tattooed" as "tattoed"?

Phonetic confusion: The pronunciation of "tattooed" might lead some individuals to spell it as they hear it, like the word "to," resulting in the omission of one 'o.'

Typographical errors: During typing or writing, a simple mistake, such as overlooking a letter, could lead to the misspelling.

Other common misspellings of "tattooed"

tatooed
tatoed
tatued
tatoo'd
tato'd

Example sentences of the misspelling of "tattooed" as "tattoed"

It's essential to correct the typo in your message; "tattoed" is not the correct spelling of "tattooed."
I noticed a small error in your tattoo description – "tattoed" should be replaced with the accurate spelling, which is "tattooed."
Let's maintain precision in our writing; "tattoed" is not a recognized spelling, so use "tattooed" instead.
In order to enhance the professionalism of your document, remember that "tattoed" is incorrect, and the right spelling is "tattooed."
It's crucial for accurate communication; "tattoed" is a misspelling, and you should consistently use "tattooed" in your written work.

Example sentences of "tattooed"

She proudly displayed her tattooed sleeve, showcasing intricate designs and meaningful symbols.
The artist skillfully tattooed a vibrant phoenix on the canvas of her skin, capturing attention with every detail.
As the years passed, the once vibrant colors of his tattooed memories subtly faded.
The group decided to get matching tattooed symbols as a permanent reminder of their enduring friendship.
He felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as the needle tattooed his chosen design onto his forearm.
The old sailor had a myriad of tattooed tales etched into his weathered skin, each mark telling a different story.
In the dimly lit tattoo parlor, the artist meticulously tattooed the lyrics of her favorite song on her ribcage.
The tribal chief bore a powerful symbol tattooed across his chest, signifying his leadership and wisdom.
The ancient warrior's body was a canvas, richly tattooed with symbols representing battles won and lost.
She marveled at the intricate patterns tattooed on the skin of the indigenous tribe members, each mark telling a unique story.

Check out our other related blog posts:
🖊️ Past Tense of "Seek": "Sought" or "Seeked"?
🖊️ Creater vs. Creator: Which is Correct?

Synonyms for "tattooed"

Inked
Marked
Decorated
Engraved
Branded
Embellished
Adorned
Imprinted
Inscribed
Stamped

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