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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