American and British English often pronounce the same word differently, for example, movie/film, call/ring up, candy/sweets, etc. In this article, you can learn more about the differences between American English and British English words.
American & British English Words: A
| American English | British English |
| Airplane | Aeroplane |
| Antenna | Aerial |
| Apologize | Apologize or Apologise |
| Analyze | Analyse |
| Apartment | Flat |
| Analog or Analogue | Analogue |
| Anemia | Anaemia |
| Anesthesia | Anaesthesia |
| Appall | Appal |
| Annex | Annexe |
| Arbor | Arbour |
| Armor | Armour |
| Artifact | Artefact |
| Adhesive tape | Sticking plaster |
| Awaken someone | Knock up |
| Accommodations | accommodation |
| Airfoil | Aerofoil |
| Instant replay | Action replay |
| Allen wrench | Allen key |
| Attorney | Barrister |
| Fall | Autumn |
| Advice columnist | Agony aunt |
Differences between American and British English: B
| American English | British English |
| Bureau | Chest of drawers |
| Billfold | Wallet |
| Balcony | Gallery |
| Baby bed | Cot/Crib |
| Business suit | Lounge suite |
| Bobbie pin | Hairgrip |
| Bathrobe | Dressing gown |
| Breathalyze | Breathalyse |
| Behavior | behaviour |
| Beet | Beetroot |
| Busy | Engaged |
| Bangs | Fringe |
| Blinker, turn signal | Indicator |
| Baby carriage | Pram |
| Bathing Suit | Swimming costume / Cozzy |
| bias-ply | cross-ply |
| Baggage car | luggage van |
| beltway | ring road |
| bachelor party | stag night |
| Bill | Banknote |
| Bathtub | Bath |
Differences between American and British English: C
| American English | British English |
| Center | Centre |
| Candy | Sweets |
| Cookie | Biscuit |
| Cracker | Biscuit |
| Check | Cheque |
| Clothes pin | Clothes peg |
| Cigarette | Fag |
| Catalog | Catalogue |
| Counselor | Counsellor |
| Carburetor | Carburettor |
| Color | Colour |
| Candor | Candour |
| Clamor | Clamour |
| Caliber | Calibre |
| Checkerboard | Chequerboard |
| Checkered | Chequered |
| Cozy | Cosy |
| Curb | kerb(noun) |
| Call | Ring up |
| Chips | Crisps |
| City | Corporation |
| Counter-clockwise | Anti-clockwise |
| Crazy, insane | Mad |
| Corn | Maize |
| Can | Tin |
| Cell Phone | Mobile |
| Checkroom, coatroom | Cloakroom |
| Comforter | Duvet |
| Costumes | Fancy dress |
American English And British English Words: D
| American English | British English |
| Defense | Defence |
| Diaper | Nappy |
| Druggist | Chemist |
| Dialog or dialogue | Dialogue |
| Disheveled | Dishevelled |
| Distill | Distil |
| Diarrhea | Diarrhoea |
| Downtown | Centre |
| Demeanor | Demeanour |
| Donut | Doughnut |
| Dishes | Wash up |
| Drapes | Curtains |
| Drug store / Pharmacy | Chemist’s shop |
| Driver’s license | Driving licence |
| Divided highway | Dual carriageway |
| Directory assistance | Directory enquiries |
| Draft | Draught |
| Delivery truck | Van |
| Doghouse | kennel |
| Dizzy | Giddy |
| Dessert | Pudding |
| Desk clerk | Receptionist |
| Duplex | Semi-detached |
American & British English Words: E
| American English | British English |
| Estrogen | Oestrogen |
| Eon | Aeon |
| Esthetic | Aesthetic |
| Eraser | Rubber |
| Editorial | Leader |
| Enroll | Enrol |
| Elevator | Lift |
| Engineer (train) | Driver |
| Eggplant | Aubergine |
| Exhausted | Shattered |
American & British English Words: F
| American English | British English |
| Flavor | Flavour |
| Favor | Favour |
| Fall | Autumn |
| Fiber | Fibre |
| Favorite | Favourite |
| Faculty | Staff |
| Faucet | Tap |
| Flashlight | Torch |
| French fries | Chips |
| First floor | Ground floor |
| Freeway/superhighway | Motorway |
| Fueling | Fuelling |
| Fish-sticks | Fish-fingers |
| Face cloth, wash cloth | Flannel |
| Freight train | Goods train |
| Fiscal year | Financial year |
| financial year | |
| Fire company/department | Fire brigade/service |
| Front desk | Reception (hotel) |
Differences between American and British English: G
| American English | British English | |
| Garbage | Rubbish | |
| Gynecologist | Gynaecologist | |
| Gram | Gramme | |
| Glycerin | Glycerine | |
| Grill | Grille(noun) | |
| Gonorrhea | Gonorrhoea | |
| Gray | Grey | |
| Generator | Dynamo | |
| Garbage can | Dustbin | |
| Gas | Petrol | |
| Gas station | Filling Station | |
| German shepherd | Alsatian | |
| Girl Scout | Girl Guide | |
| Gear shift | Gear lever | |
| Gym Shoes | Plimsolls | |
| groundskeeper | groundsman | |
| garters | suspenders |
| general manager | managing director/MD |
| goose bumps | goose pimples |
American English And British English Words: H
| American English | British English |
| Humor | Humour |
| Habor | Harbour |
| Honor | Honour |
| Hood | Bonnet |
| hat | Bonnet |
| Hardware store | Ironmonger |
| Highway | Main road |
| Heavy cream | Double cream |
| Hatrack | Hatstand |
| Homey | Homely |
| Housewares | Hardware |
American English And British English Words: I
| American English | British English |
| Instill | Instil |
| Incorporation | Limited |
| Installment | Instalment |
| Intermission | Interval |
| instant replay | action replay |
| Inquiry | Enquiry |
| inseam | inside leg |
| industrial park | trading estate |
| information assistance | directory enquiries |
| installment plan | hire purchase |
American English And British English Words: J & K
| American English | British English |
| jail | gaol |
| jewelry | jewellery |
| Jump rope | Skipping rope |
| Janitor | Caretaker |
| Jacket, parka | Anorak |
| Jumper | Pinafore Dress |
| jelly beans | jelly babies |
| Joe Blow | Joe Bloggs |
| jelly roll | Swiss roll |
| kilometer | kilometre |
American English And British English Words: L
| American English | British English |
| labor | labour |
| leukemia | leukaemia |
| license | licence |
| liter | litre |
| last name | surname |
| luster | lustre |
| Line | Queue |
| Lawyer /attorney | Solicitor |
| Legal holiday | Bank holiday |
| License plate | Number plate |
| Lease / rent | Let |
| Lumber room | Box room |
| Ladybug | Ladybird |
| lawn bowling | bowls |
| liquor cabinet | drinks cupboard |
| leverage | gearing (finance) |
| lollipop | lolly |
| layer cake | sandwich cake |
| lumber | timber |
| labor union | trade union |
| lima bean | broad bean |
| living room | lounge, sitting room, drawing room, living room |
| liquor | spirits (drink) |
American English And British English Words: M & N
| American English | British English |
| maneuver | manoeuvre |
| meter | metre |
| meager | meagre |
| Mail | Post |
| Mailbox | Pillar-box |
| Mailman | Postman |
| Movie | Film |
| Movie house/ theater | Cinema |
| Make reservations | Book |
| Motorcycle | Motorbike |
| Meat grinder | Mincer |
| main street | high street |
| Monkey wrench | spanner |
| math | maths |
| Mum / mummy | Mom / mommy |
| Men’s Room | Gents |
| Muffler (car) | Silencer(car) |
| median strip | central reservation |
| mutual fund | unit trust |
| manager | director (company) |
| molasses | black treacle |
| neighbor | neighbour |
| News dealer | News agent |
| newscaster | newsreader |
| nipple | teat (baby’s bottle) |
American English And British English Words: O
| American English | British English |
| Organize | organize or organise |
| offense | offence |
| odor | odour |
| Overpass | Flyover |
| Oil pan | Sump |
| Orchestra seats | Stalls |
| On the weekend | At the weekend |
| odometer | milometer |
| One way ticket | Single ticket |
| oven mitt | oven glove |
| outlet/socket | point/powerpoint/socket |
Differences between American and British English: P
| American English | British English |
| paralyze | paralyse |
| pediatric | paediatric |
| pretense | pretence |
| pediatrician | paediatrician |
| program | programme |
| parlor | parlour |
| plow | plough |
| Precinct | District |
| Period | Full stop |
| Pocket knife | Penknife |
| Package | Parcel |
| Pedestrian crossing | Zebra crossing |
| Powdered sugar | Icing sugar |
| Pants | Trousers |
| pet peeve | pet hate |
| Pavement | Road surface |
| Parking lot | Car park |
| pal | mate |
| pacifier | dummy (for baby) |
| potato chips | crisps |
| Prime rate | Base rate |
| Principal | Headmaster, headteacher |
| Powdered sugar | Icing sugar |
| plastic wrap | cling film |
| pinwale | needlecord |
| physical therapy | physiotherapy |
| punching bag | punchbag |
| public school | state school |
| phonograph/record player | gramophone/record player |
| popsicle | iced lolly |
| pitcher | jug |
| pantry | larder |
| pass | overtake (vehicle) |
| penitentiary | prison |
Differences between American and British English: R
| American English | British English |
| Recognize | recognize or recognise |
| roller coaster | big dipper |
| rancor | rancour |
| rigor | rigour |
| rumor | rumour |
| Round trip ticket | Return ticket |
| Restroom | Toilet/cloakroom |
| Raincoat | Mackintosh |
| Rubber | Condom |
| Recess | Break |
| Realtor | Estate agent |
| railroad | railway |
| room mate | flatmate |
| Robe | Dressing Gown |
| realize | realise |
| rhinestone | diamante |
| rutabaga | swede |
| roomer | lodger |
Differences between American and British English: S
| American English | British English |
| savior | saviour |
| Soccer | Football |
| sneakers | trainers |
| splendor | splendour |
| savor | savour |
| scepter | sceptre |
| sepulcher | sepulchre |
| somber | sombre |
| saber | sabre |
| sulfur | sulphur |
| skeptical | sceptical |
| Sales clerk | Shop assistant |
| Semester | Term |
| Sewer pipe | Drain |
| Sedan | Saloon car |
| Sack lunch | Packed lunch |
| Schedule | Time-table |
| Shorts (underwear) | Pants |
| Station wagon | Estate car |
| Stove | Cooker |
| Sidewalk | Footpath |
| Stroller | Pushchair |
| subway | underground(train) |
| store | Shop |
| Suspenders | Braces |
| Sewer pipe | Drain |
| Sweater | Jumper |
| shoestring | bootlace/shoelace |
| supertitle | surtitle |
| scab | blackleg/scab |
| shade | blind (window) |
| slingshot | catapult |
| spool | cotton reel |
Differences between American and British English: T
| American English | British English |
| Two weeks | Fortnight |
| Truck | Lorry |
| traveled | travelled |
| traveling | travelling |
| traveler | traveller |
| ton | tonne |
| tumor | tumour |
| theater | theatre |
| Take-out | Take-away |
| Tag | Label |
| Tea cart | Tea trolley |
| Thumbtack | Drawing pin |
| Tube | Valve |
| Thread | Cotton |
| Trunk /rear deck | Boot |
| Traffic circle | Roundabout |
| trailer | caravan |
| To fill out | To fill in |
| To bathe | To bath |
| tire | tyre |
Differences between American and British English: U & V
| American English | British English |
| Underwear | small |
| unlisted | ex-directory |
| Undershirt | Vest |
| utility knife | Stanley knife |
| Vacuum cleaner | Hoover |
| valor | valour |
| vigor | vigour |
| Vacation | Holiday |
| vacationer | holidaymaker |
| Vest | Waistcoat |
| valance | pelmet |
Differences between American and British English: W & X & Y & Z
| American English | British English |
| Wash up | Wash your hands |
| Wire | Telegram |
| woolen | wollen |
| Wash cloth | Face flannel |
| Wrench | spanner |
| Windshield | Windscreen |
| Windbreaker | Windcheater |
| Water heater | Geyser |
| wall-to-wall carpeting | fitted carpet |
| warm up | knock up (tennis) |
| Yard | Garden |
| Zip Code | Postal Code |
| Zero | Naught |
| Zucchini | Courgette |
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