There have been many age old debates over time, from how you say tomato or scone to coffee versus tea. But one that’s close to our heart is… tyres or tires?

It’s understandably a little confusing, which is why we’ll be looking at the differences, what they mean, which one you should be using and where the terms come from in the first place.

Tyres vs Tires

Put simply, it’s the English spelling versus the American spelling. The English and older term being used in not just the UK, but also across most commonwealth countries. The American version of the term is mainly used in the United States, but is also sometimes used in Canada.

Is Tyres the Plural of Tire?

Unfortunately not, the plurals for both relate to the type of English used. So the plural of tire is tires (American) and the plural of tyre is tyres (British). Though it’s understandable that you might think this!

Tire Has a Double Meaning

It’s important to note here that context is everything, as the term “tire” is also used to describe something you’re bored or losing interest in – for example, “I tire of this situation”. This is used by both the Americans and the British, so make sure you read the whole sentence before assuming the intent.

Where Does the Word Tyre Derive From?

This is where it gets really interesting, as it’s thought that it comes from a shortened version of the word “attire”. The reason being that a wheel is thought to be “dressed” with an additional layer. In modern day, rubber, but back in the early 1900’s would have been leather.

How Old is The Term “Tyre”?

As mentioned earlier, tyre is technically the earliest form of the two spellings. Its use began in around the 15^th century, with “tire” becoming more prevalent in print materials in the 17^th century. The introduction of the first pneumatic tyres was where the Americans and British decided to adopt each spelling independently.

Learn More About Tyres with TyreSafe

We are the only UK charity fully dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of tyre safety. We provide information on correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and illegal tyres, as well as the latest industry news and insights. We also run regular campaigns to increase awareness nationwide.

Got a tyre safety story you’d like to share with us? Feel free to let us know and get involved!