You’ve probably seen “feening” and “fiending” used online, especially on social media, in song lyrics, or casual messages—and wondered which one is correct.
This confusion is very common because both words sound the same when spoken, but only one is considered standard English. People search for “feening or fiending” to quickly find the right spelling,
understand the meaning, and avoid using the wrong word in writing.
The confusion usually comes from slang culture and phonetic spelling. In casual speech, people often say “I’m feening for it,” but when it comes to correct grammar, things change.
Writers, students, and professionals want to know which version works in emails, articles, or formal writing—and which should stay in informal or slang use.
This article clears up that confusion once and for all. You’ll get a quick answer, word history, spelling rules, real-life examples, and usage advice based on your audience.
By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use fiending, when feening appears, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Feening or Fiending – Quick Answer
Fiending is the correct standard English spelling.
Feening is a slang or phonetic variation.
Examples:
- ✅ He is fiending for attention.
- ❌ He is feening for attention. (informal/slang)
In professional or formal writing, always use fiending.
The Origin of Feening or Fiending
The word fiending comes from the noun fiend, which means an evil spirit or someone with an extreme obsession. Over time, it also came to mean someone who craves or desires something strongly.
Feening developed later as a slang spelling. It reflects how people pronounce “fiending” in fast, casual speech. Music, street language, and social media helped spread feening, but it was never accepted as a formal spelling.
So, the spelling difference exists because of spoken language vs written rules.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British and American English for this word.
Both use fiending as the correct form.
| English Variant | Correct Spelling | Notes |
| American English | Fiending | Standard usage |
| British English | Fiending | Same spelling |
| Slang/Informal | Feening | Not standard |
Which Spelling Should You Use?
- United States: Use fiending
- UK & Commonwealth: Use fiending
- Global or Professional Audience: Always fiending
- Casual texting or slang: Feening may appear, but avoid it in writing
If clarity and credibility matter, fiending is the safe choice.
Common Mistakes with Feening or Fiending
Mistake 1: Using feening in formal writing
✅ Correction: Use fiending
Mistake 2: Thinking both are correct
✅ Correction: Only fiending is standard English
Mistake 3: Assuming it’s a US vs UK difference
✅ Correction: Both regions use fiending
Feening or Fiending in Everyday Examples
Emails:
- He is fiending for an update.
News:
- Fans are fiending for more details.
Social Media:
- I’m feening for that new drop (slang)
Formal Writing:
- The market is fiending for innovation.
Feening or Fiending – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows fiending is far more common in written content worldwide.
Feening spikes mainly in:
- Social media
- Song lyrics
- Informal searches
Countries with higher slang usage show more searches for feening, but authoritative content favors fiending.
Read More.Because vs Cause Explained in Plain English
Comparison Table: Feening vs Fiending
| Variation | Correct? | Usage Type | Recommended |
| Fiending | ✅ Yes | Formal & informal | ⭐ Yes |
| Feening | ❌ No | Slang only | ❌ Avoid |
FAQs
1. Is “feening” a real word?
No. It is slang, not standard English.
2. Is “fiending” grammatically correct?
Yes. It is the correct spelling.
3. Can I use “feening” in casual writing?
Only in informal or creative contexts.
4. Does British English use “feening”?
No. British English uses fiending.
5. Is “fiending” negative?
It can be. It often implies strong craving or obsession.
6. Why do people spell it “feening”?
Because it matches spoken pronunciation.
7. Which should I use for SEO content?
Always use fiending.
Conclusion
The confusion between feening or fiending comes down to speech versus grammar. While both may sound the same when spoken, only fiending is correct in standard English. It has clear roots in the word fiend and is accepted in both American and British English without variation.
Feening, on the other hand, is a slang spelling shaped by pronunciation and pop culture. You’ll see it often on social media or in music, but it does not belong in professional, academic, or SEO-focused writing. Using it in the wrong context can hurt clarity and credibility.
If your goal is clear communication, proper grammar, and polished writing, stick with fiending. Reserve feening only for informal or creative expression where rules are relaxed. Knowing the difference helps you write with confidence and accuracy—every time.

Pam Peters is an Australian linguist known for her work on English spelling and usage differences.
She specializes in British and American English variations.


