I remember the first time I got stuck asking myself: is it tomatoes or tomatos? I stared at my screen, unsure if I was making a silly mistake.
If you’re a student, writer, or English learner, I get it — these little spelling doubts can be surprisingly confusing. You might even wonder about pronunciation, plural forms, or whether UK and US English spell it differently.
Don’t worry. In this updated guide, I’ll walk you through everything step by step, with simple rules, real examples, and quick tips.
By the end, you’ll confidently know tomatoes is correct — no more second-guessing.
Quick Answer
✅ Tomatoes is the correct plural spelling.
❌ Tomatos is incorrect in standard English.
Examples:
- Correct: I bought fresh tomatoes.
- Incorrect: I bought fresh tomatos.
The plural of tomato always adds -es, not just -s.
The Origin of Tomato and Its Plural Form
The word tomato comes from the Spanish word tomate, which originally came from the Nahuatl word tomatl. When English adopted the word, it followed a specific grammar rule.
In English, nouns ending in a consonant + “o” usually form plurals by adding “-es.”
That is why tomato becomes tomatoes.
This is also why:
- potato → potatoes
- hero → heroes
- echo → echoes
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no difference between UK and US spelling for this word.
| Language Variant | Correct Spelling | Incorrect Spelling |
|---|---|---|
| British English | tomatoes | tomatos |
| American English | tomatoes | tomatos |
👉 Tomatos is wrong in both UK and US English.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
- US audience → tomatoes
- UK audience → tomatoes
- Global / SEO writing → tomatoes
There is no situation where tomatos is acceptable in formal or correct English.
Common Mistakes with Tomatoes or Tomatos
❌ Writing tomatos in blogs or assignments
❌ Assuming UK English allows tomatos
❌ Mixing rules from words like photos
❌ Using incorrect spelling in headings or SEO titles
✅ Always use tomatoes
Tomatoes or Tomatos Pronunciation
Tomato (singular):
- UK: tuh-MAH-toh
- US: tuh-MAY-toh
Tomatoes (plural):
- UK: tuh-MAH-tohz
- US: tuh-MAY-tohz
Spelling does not change with pronunciation.
Plural of Potato and Tomato (Rule Explained)
Both follow the same rule:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| tomato | tomatoes |
| potato | potatoes |
This is because both end in consonant + o, which requires -es.
How to Spell Tomato Plural Correctly
Correct spelling:
- tomatoes
Incorrect spellings:
- tomatos ❌
- tomotoes ❌
- tomato’s ❌
Tomatoes or Tomatos Meaning
- Tomato: a red edible fruit used as a vegetable
- Tomatoes: more than one tomato
- Tomatos: ❌ no meaning (spelling error)
Tomatoes or Tomatos in Everyday Examples
Emails:
“I’ve ordered fresh tomatoes for the event.”
News:
“Tomatoes prices increased due to weather changes.”
Social Media:
“Nothing beats home-grown tomatoes 🍅”
Formal Writing:
“Tomatoes are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.”
Potatoes, Tomatoes – Why Both End in “-es”
Both words:
- End with consonant + o
- Follow the same plural rule
- Never drop the -es
This helps learners remember the pattern easily.
Tomatoes vs Tomatos – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows:
- “Tomatoes” is widely used worldwide
- “Tomatos” appears mostly as a spelling mistake
- High searches come from students and ESL learners
Google autocorrect also changes tomatos to tomatoes.
Comparison Table: Tomatoes vs Tomatos
| Feature | Tomatoes | Tomatos |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Dictionary word | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| UK English | ✅ | ❌ |
| US English | ✅ | ❌ |
| SEO safe | ✅ | ❌ |
FAQs
1. Is tomatos a real word?
No. It is always incorrect.
2. What is the plural of tomato?
Tomatoes.
3. Is tomatos used in British English?
No. UK English also uses tomatoes.
4. Why does tomato add “-es”?
Because it ends in a consonant + o.
5. What is the plural of potato and tomato?
Potatoes and tomatoes.
6. How do you pronounce tomatoes?
UK: tuh-MAH-tohz, US: tuh-MAY-tohz.
7. Can tomatos be used informally?
No. It is incorrect even informally.
Conclusion
The confusion between tomatoes or tomatos is very common, but the rule is simple. Tomatoes is the only correct plural spelling in both British and American English.
The word follows a standard grammar rule for nouns ending in a consonant plus “o,” just like potatoes and heroes.
Using the wrong spelling can affect clarity, professionalism, and even SEO performance. Whether you are writing an email, blog, academic paper, or social post, always use tomatoes. Pronunciation may change slightly between regions, but spelling never does.
If you remember one thing, remember this: tomatos is always wrong. Once you understand the rule, you’ll never make this mistake again.
Bryan A. Garner is a renowned grammar expert, lexicographer, and author at Grammiffy, where he makes English rules easy to understand for learners and writers of all levels.
With a focus on clarity, proper usage, and effective communication, Bryan helps readers master grammar, style, and everyday writing with confidence.
