| American vs. British English
As a student of English, you need to be aware of some of the differences between American English
and British English. On this page you will find two lists. The first is a list of vocabulary
American items and their British equivalents. The second is a list of words that are
pronounced the same in both America and Britain but which are spelled differently. These lists
do not include every word that is different between American English and British English;
however, the words listed are some of the most common. Once you have studied the lists below,
you can test your understanding with this
quiz.
| Differences in Vocabulary |
| American English | British English |
|
attorney, lawyer | barrister, solicitor
|
|
bathrobe | dressing gown
|
|
can (of beans) | tin (of beans)
|
|
cookie | biscuit
|
|
corn | maize
|
|
diaper | nappy
|
|
driver's license | driving license
|
|
drug store | chemist's
|
|
elevator | lift
|
|
eraser | rubber
|
|
flashlight | torch
|
|
gas, gasoline | petrol
|
|
hood of a car | bonnet of a car
|
|
living room | sitting room, drawing room
|
|
raise in salary | rise in salary
|
|
restroom | loo, public toilet, WC (water closet)
|
|
schedule | timetable
|
|
sidewalk | pavement, footpath
|
|
sink | basin
|
|
soccer | football
|
|
stove | cooker
|
|
truck trunk of a car | boot of a car
|
|
be on vacation | be on holiday
|
|
highway | motorway
|
|
two weeks | fortnight
|
|
intersection | crossroads
|
|
truck | lorry, van
|
|
streetcar | trolly
|
|
trash | rubbish, garbage
|
|
billfold | wallet
|
|
washing up liquid | dishwashing liquid
|
|
French fries | chips
|
|
napkin | serviette
|
|
breadbox | breadbin
|
|
silverware | cultlery
|
|
can opener | tin opener
|
|
spatula | fish slice
|
|
counter | worktop
|
|
wastebasket | bin
|
| Differences in Spelling |
| American English | British English |
|
theater, center, liter | theatre, centre, litre
|
|
color, honor, labor, odor | colour, honour, labour, odour
|
|
jewelry, traveler, woolen | jewellry, traveller, woollen
|
|
skillful, fulfill | skilful, fulfil
|
|
check | cheque
|
|
curb | kerb
|
|
forever | for ever/forever
|
|
jail | gaol
|
|
program | programme
|
|
specialty | speciality
|
|
story | storey (of a building)
|
|
tire | tyre (of a car)
|
|
realize, analyze, apologize | realise, analyse, apologise
|
|
defense, offense, license | defence, offence, licence (n.)
|
|
burned | burnt (or burned)
|
|
dreamed | dreamt (or dreamed)
|
|
smelled | smelt (or smelled)
|
|
spelled | spelt (or spelled)
|
|
spoiled | spoilt (or spoiled)
|
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