Complete the phrase: Everything is going to be 

Most people probably thought of the word “okay” first—or was it “OK”? Are they different? Is “OK” just a shorter way to write “okay”?

Is one less formal than the other? You need to discover the facts behind these questions to know the correct answer.

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Does “okay” differ from “OK”?

No, they mean the same. Both “okay” and “OK” are highly flexible. They can show agreement, shift a conversation, confirm understanding, or ensure everything is fine.

Is “OK” just a shortened version of “okay”?

It’s the other way around. The word “okay” comes from “OK.” The origin of “OK” isn’t entirely sure, but the common idea is that in the 1800s, people humorously spelled “all correct” as “oll korrect” or “orl korrect.” 

They later shortened it to “OK.” During the same period, President Martin Van Buren, known as “Old Kinderhook” for his birthplace in Kinderhook, New York, used “OK” in his reelection slogan, “Vote for OK.” 

Even though he lost the 1840 election, “OK” gained popularity and spread globally. The spelling “okay” appeared a few decades later, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Can you always use OK?

Specific style guides prefer one option, while others remain neutral. For instance, the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) does not indicate a preference. However, it uses OK in its content. 

On its website, CMOS explains that okay is “an equal variant (also standard).” Meanwhile, the Associated Press Stylebook insists on using OK, even in forms like OK’ing (including the apostrophe).

Is one term more formal than the other?

No, both words have the same level of formality. You may find them too casual if you’re working on a professional document. In such cases, choose a more formal alternative. Remember, “OK” can be a noun, verb, adverb, or adjective. Here are a few examples:

“We’ll be ok
Lean on me
I’ll lean on you
We’ll be ok.”
― Dave Matthews Band, “#34”

“Maybe ‘Okay’ will be our ‘always’…”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

“Jamie: You’re acting crazy; what’s going on?
Landon: Right now, you’re straddling the state line.
Jamie: OK…
Landon: You’re in two places at once.”
― Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

“OK. Don’t panic. Don’t panic. It’s only a VISA bill. It’s just a piece of paper, a few numbers. How frightening can a few numbers be?”
― Sophie Kinsella, Confessions of a Shopaholic

Okay and OK Mean the Same Thing

“Okay” and “OK” are two correct spellings of the same word. Use the rules of your style guide for formal writing.

The two terms mean the same thing. “OK” likely started as a fun misspelling of “all correct.” Both are valid in standard English. For formal writing, check your style guide. Without one, you can use a synonym. Alright, finish your sentence now!