British English and American English
While English speakers will normally have no problem understanding each other no matter where they come from in the English speaking world, it’s worth knowing some of the main variations between British English and American English.
The differences between British English and American English are mainly to do with vocabulary and spelling. In this post we’re giving you a list of some of the main vocabulary items that are different.
British English |
American English |
| accommodation |
accommodations |
| aerofoil | airfoil |
| aeroplane | airplane |
| aluminium | aluminum |
| aniseed | anise |
| anticlockwise | counterclockwise |
| aubergine | eggplant |
| baking tray | cookie sheet |
| bank holiday | legal holiday |
| beetroot | beet(s) |
| biscuit | cookie; cracker |
| black economy | underground economy |
| blanket bath | sponge bath |
| block of flats | apartment building |
| boiler suit | coveralls |
| bonnet (of a car) | hood |
| bottom drawer | hope chest |
| bowls | lawn bowling |
| braces | suspenders |
| breeze block | cinder block |
| bridging loan | bridge loan |
| bumbag | fanny pack |
| candyfloss | cotton candy |
| car park | parking lot |
| casualty | emergency room |
| catapult | slingshot |
| central reservation | median strip |
| chemist | drugstore |
| chips | French fries |
| cinema | movie theater; the movies |
| cling film | plastic wrap |
| common seal | harbor seal |
| consumer durables | durable goods |
| cornflour | cornstarch |
| cotton wool | absorbent cotton |
| council estate | (housing) project |
| courgette | zucchini |
| court card | face card |
| crotchet (music) | quarter note |
| current account | checking account |
| dialling tone | dial tone |
| diamante | rhinestone |
| double cream | heavy cream |
| draughts (game) | checkers |
| drawing pin | thumbtack |
| dressing gown | robe; bathrobe |
| drink-driving | drunk driving |
| driving licence | driver’s license |
| dual carriageway | divided highway |
| dummy (for a baby) | pacifier |
| dust sheet | drop cloth |
| dustbin | garbage can |
| earth(electrical) | ground |
| engaged (of a phone) | busy |
| estate agent | real estate agent, realtor (trademark) |
| estate car | station wagon |
| ex-directory | unlisted |
| faith school | parochial school |
| financial year | fiscal year |
| fire brigade/service | fire company/department |
| first floor | second floor |
| fish finger | fish stick |
| flat | apartment |
| flexitime | flextime |
| flick knife | switchblade |
| flyover | overpass |
| football | soccer |
| footway | sidewalk |
| fringe (hair) | bangs |
| full stop (punctuation) | period |
| garden | yard; lawn |
| gearing (finance) | leverage |
| gear lever | gearshift |
| goods train | freight train |
| greaseproof paper | wax paper/waxed paper |
| green fingers | green thumb |
| grill (noun) | broiler |
| grill (verb) | broil |
| ground floor | first floor |
| groundsman | groundskeeper |
| hairslide | barrette |
| hatstand | hatrack |
| hen night | bachelorette party |
| hire purchase | installment plan |
| hoarding | billboard |
| holiday | vacation |
| holidaymaker | vacationer |
| homely | homey |
| hosepipe | (garden) hose |
| in hospital | in the hospital |
| icing sugar | confectioners’ sugar |
| indicator (on a car) | turn signal |
| inside leg | inseam |
| jelly babies | jelly beans |
| jumble sale | rummage sale |
| jump lead | jumper cable |
| jumper | sweater |
| junior school | elementary school |
| kennel | doghouse |
| ladybird | ladybug |
| a lettuce | a head of lettuce |
| level crossing | grade crossing |
| lift | elevator |
| lolly | lollipop |
| lorry | truck |
| loudhailer | bullhorn |
| low loader | flatbed truck |
| lucky dip | grab bag |
| marshalling yard | railroad yard |
| maths | math |
| metalled road | paved road |
| mobile phone | cell phone |
| mum/mummy | mom/mommy |
| nappy | diaper |
| noughts and crosses | tic-tac-toe |
| number plate | license plate |
| off-licence | liquor store; package store |
| opencast mining | open-pit mining |
| ordinary share | common stock |
| oven glove | oven mitt |
| paddling pool | wading pool |
| paracetamol | acetaminophen |
| parting (in hair) | part |
| patience | solitaire |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| pay packet | pay envelope |
| pedestrian crossing | crosswalk |
| peg | clothespin |
| pelmet | valance |
| petrol | gas; gasoline |
| physiotherapy | physical therapy |
| pinafore dress | jumper |
| plain chocolate | dark chocolate |
| plain flour | all-purpose flour |
| polo neck | turtleneck |
| positive discrimination | reverse discrimination |
| postal vote | absentee ballot |
| postbox | mailbox |
| postcode | zip code |
| potato crisp | potato chip |
| power point | electrical outlet |
| pram | baby carriage; stroller |
| press stud | snap |
| press-up | pushup |
| private soldier | GI |
| public school | private school |
| public transport | public transportation |
| punchbag | punching bag |
| pushchair | stroller |
| pylon | utility pole |
| queue | line |
| racing car | race car |
| railway | railroad |
| real tennis | court tennis |
| recorded delivery | certified mail |
| registration plate | license plate |
| remould (tyre) | retread |
| reverse the charges | call collect |
| reversing lights | back-up lights |
| right-angled triangle | right triangle |
| ring road | beltway |
| roundabout (at a fair) | carousel |
| roundabout (in road) | traffic circle |
| rowing boat | rowboat |
| sailing boat | sailboat |
| saloon (car) | sedan |
| sandpit | sandbox |
| sandwich cake | layer cake |
| semibreve (music) | whole note |
| semitone (music) | half step |
| share option | stock option |
| shopping trolley | shopping cart |
| skimmed milk | skim milk |
| skipping rope | jump rope |
| skirting board | baseboard |
| sledge | sled |
| sleeper | railroad tie |
| sleeping partner | silent partner |
| slowcoach | slowpoke |
| snakes and ladders | chutes and ladders |
| solicitor | lawyer |
| spring onion | scallion |
| state school | public school |
| sweets | candy |
| takeaway (food) | takeout; to go |
| taxi rank | taxi stand |
| tea towel | dish towel |
| terrace house | row house |
| tick | check mark |
| ticket tout | scalper |
| timber | lumber |
| trade union | labor union |
| trainers | sneakers |
| trolley | shopping cart |
| underground | subway |
| vacuum flask | thermos bottle |
| verge (of a road) | shoulder |
| vest | undershirt |
| veterinary surgeon | veterinarian |
| wagon(on a train) | car |
| waistcoat | vest |
| wardrobe | closet |
| worktop | countertop |
| zebra crossing | crosswalk |
| zip | zipper |
Creator and Founder at English4Today
Author of the Online English Grammar on English4Today.com. Creator of the English4Today website. I've worked in online education with a special interest in English language teaching for over twenty years. English4Today is a project I have been working on since 2000 and in that time we have helped over 750,000 students improve their English. And our English4Today online teachers have taught thousands of students using our online course delivery.
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