7 Surprising Times You MUST Capitalize 'Spring' (The Ultimate Grammar Guide)

The simple answer to "Do you capitalize spring?" is almost always no. As of today, December 17, 2025, the overwhelming consensus across all major English style guides—from The Associated Press (AP) to The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)—is that the names of the seasons (spring, summer, autumn/fall, and winter) are treated as common nouns and should remain lowercase in most contexts. This rule is a cornerstone of modern grammar, yet it is one of the most frequently broken capitalization rules in writing.

The confusion stems from the fact that we capitalize the days of the week and the months of the year, leading many to assume the seasons follow the same pattern. However, the names of the months and days are considered proper nouns because they refer to specific, unique entities on the calendar (e.g., Monday, January). The word "spring," by contrast, simply refers to a general period of time or a cyclical season, making it a common noun—unless it is part of a formal name or title. Understanding these exceptions is crucial for establishing topical authority and professionalism in your writing.

The Definitive Rule: Why 'spring' Is a Common Noun

The fundamental reason you do not capitalize the word "spring" is its grammatical classification. In English, capitalization is reserved for proper nouns—the names of specific people, places, or things. A season, by itself, is not a proper noun; it is a general category.

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• Common Noun: A general class of people, places, or things. (e.g., dog, city, season).
• Proper Noun: The specific name of a particular person, place, or thing. (e.g., Fido, Paris, January).

Because "spring" is a common noun, it follows the same capitalization rules as other common nouns: lowercase unless it begins a sentence. This rule applies equally to all four seasons: spring, summer, fall (or autumn), and winter.

Style Guide Consensus: AP vs. Chicago vs. MLA

Whether you are writing a news article, an academic paper, or a novel, the three most influential style guides in the English-speaking world agree on the lowercase rule. Consistency is key, and adhering to your chosen style guide is paramount.

AP Style (Associated Press)

The AP Stylebook, which governs most journalism and corporate communications, is strict on the lowercase rule. Seasons are only capitalized if they are part of a formal name or title.

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• Correct: The weather is always unpredictable in the spring.
• Incorrect: The Spring weather is always unpredictable.

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)

CMOS, the standard for book publishing and academic writing, also mandates lowercase for the seasons. It emphasizes that seasons should not be treated like months or days.

• Correct: She plans to start her new job in the fall.
• Incorrect: She plans to start her new job in the Fall.

MLA Style (Modern Language Association)

Used primarily for humanities research papers, MLA follows the same convention: seasons are lowercase in prose.

• Correct: My favorite seasons are spring and fall.

7 Critical Exceptions: When to Capitalize 'Spring'

The true mark of an expert writer is knowing the exceptions to the rule. When the word "spring" shifts from being a general descriptor to a specific, unique name, it becomes a proper noun and must be capitalized. Here are the seven most common and important contexts where you must capitalize "Spring."

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1. Geographical Proper Nouns and Place Names

When "Spring" is an integral part of an official, unique geographical name, it is capitalized. These place names are specific entities that require a capital letter to distinguish them. This is a crucial area of confusion for many writers.

• City/Town Names: Springfield, Illinois (and the 16 other locations named Springfield), Hot Springs, Arkansas, Silver Spring, Maryland, Springdale, Arkansas, Spring City, Utah, and the town of Spring, Texas.
• Natural Features: Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring, Wekiwa Springs State Park.

2. Formal Academic Semesters and Titles

In academic settings, capitalization rules can vary, but "Spring" is often capitalized when it is directly followed by a year or used in a formal title, as it refers to a specific, unique term.

• Specific Terms: The Spring 2025 Semester, The Spring 2024 Course Catalog, Dean's List for Spring 2026.
• Specific Course Titles: Introduction to Spring Botany, Advanced Spring Water Management.
• Note: However, a general reference remains lowercase: "I'm taking five classes next spring semester."

3. Formal Event and Program Names

Any official, branded event, festival, or program that incorporates "Spring" in its title requires capitalization because the entire phrase is a proper noun.

• Sports: Major League Baseball Spring Training, NCAA Spring Football Game.
• Holidays/Events: Spring Break (often capitalized in promotional material, though some style guides prefer lowercase), The Spring Festival (a formal name for the Chinese New Year), Spring Awakening Music Festival.

4. Personification in Literature and Poetry

When "spring" is given human qualities (personified), it is treated as a name and is capitalized. This is most common in poetry, creative writing, or high-level literary prose.

• Examples: Spring's tender touch, Old Man Winter retreated as Queen Spring arrived, Spring’s gentle hand.

5. Trademarks, Brands, and Product Names

Any corporate name, product line, or trademark that uses "Spring" must be capitalized to respect the brand identity.

• Technology: The Spring Framework (a popular Java platform), Spring.io.
• Retail/Fashion: The Spring Collection, Spring Water Brand.

6. The First Word of a Sentence or Title

This is the most basic capitalization rule in English: the first word of any sentence must be capitalized, regardless of whether it is a common or proper noun.

• Example: Spring is the season of renewal.
• Example: Spring flowers are my favorite.

7. Specific Official Documents and Legal Titles

In formal documents, especially those with legal or official titles, all words in the title are often capitalized (Title Case).

• Examples: The Congressional Spring Report, The Spring 2025 Budget Proposal, The Annual Spring Shareholders' Meeting.

LSI Keywords and Common Capitalization Errors

The widespread confusion about whether to capitalize seasons is evident in many common phrases. To maintain consistency and professionalism in your writing, remember to lowercase the season in all general descriptions, even when they are followed by a year or used as an adjective.

Common Phrases Where 'spring' Should NOT Be Capitalized

Avoid the following common capitalization errors (LSI keywords) to ensure your text is grammatically correct:

• General Semester Reference: The spring semester will begin in February. (Not 'Spring Semester').
• General Time Reference: I love the flowers of spring. (Not 'Spring').
• Adjective Use: We are planning a spring vacation. (Not 'Spring Vacation').
• Seasonal Decor/Clothing: I need to buy a new spring jacket. (Not 'Spring Jacket').
• General Year Reference: The concert will take place in spring 2026. (Not 'Spring 2026', unless following a specific institutional style guide that mandates it).

Mastering the capitalization of "spring" boils down to a single, powerful test: Is the word referring to a general time of year (lowercase) or is it an official, unique name of a person, place, event, or product (capitalize)? By applying this simple proper noun test, you can navigate the nuances of capitalization and elevate your writing from amateur to expert.