Difference between British and American English Words
Here is a list of words that have a difference between British and American English Words. Differences can be based on Spelling and pronunciation.
Here is a list of the words and phrases that are used differently in British and American languages. Sometimes you will see the words are the same but the spellings of the words used in the British and American languages are different. And some other times there are different words and phrases popular in different countries to show the same thing.
| British English | American English |
| Aeroplane | Airplane |
| Ampoule | Ampule |
| Aluminium | Aluminum |
| Arse | Ass |
| Behove | Behoove |
| Bogeyman | Boogeyman Or Boogerman |
| Brent | Brant |
| Carburettor | Carburetor |
| Charivari | Shivaree, Charivari |
| Eyrie | Aerie |
| Fillet | Fillet, Filet |
| Fount | Font |
| Furore | Furor |
| Grotty | Grody |
| Haulier | Hauler |
| Jemmy | Jimmy |
| Moustache | Moustache |
| Mum(My) | Mom(My) |
| Naivety, | Naïveté |
| Naïveté | Oriented |
| Orientated | Pajamas |
| Pyjamas | Persnickety |
| Pernickety | Plunk |
| Plonk | Putter |
| Potter | Quint |
| Quin | Scalawag |
| Scallywag | Scallywag |
| Sledge | Sled |
| Speciality | Specialty |
| Titbit | Tidbit |
| Annexe | Annex |
| Apophthegm[125] | Apothegm[126] |
| Artefact, | Artifact |
| Artifact | |
| Axe | Ax, Axe |
| Chamomile , Chamomile | Chamomile, Camomile |
| Carat | Carat, Karat |
| Cheque | Check |
| Chequer | Checker |
| Chilli | Chili, Chile |
| Cipher, Cypher | Cipher |
| Coulter, Colter | Colter |
| Cosy | Cozy |
| Dyke | Dike |
| Doughnut | Doughnut, Donut |
| Draught, Draft | Draft |
| Gauge | Gauge, Gage |
| Gauntlet | Gauntlet, Gantlet |
| Glycerine | Glycerin, Glycerine |
| Grey | Gray, Grey |
| Grill, | Grill, |
| Grille | Grille |
| Hearken | Hearken, |
| Honour | Honor |
| Humour | Humor |
| Idyll | Idyl, Idyll |
| Jail, Gaol | Jail |
| Kerb | Curb |
| (Kilo)Gram, (Kilo)Gramme | (Kilo)Gram |
| Liquorice | Licorice |
| Midriff | Midriff, Midrif |
| Mollusc | Mollusk, Mollusc |
| Mould | Mold |
| Moult | Molt |
| Neurone, Neuron | Neuron |
| Omelette | Omelet, Omelette |
| Plough | Plow |
| Primaeval, Primeval | Primeval |
| Programme, Program | Program |
| Rack And Ruin | Wrack And Ruin |
| Sceptic, Skeptic | Skeptic |
| Slew, Slue | Slue, Slew |
| Smoulder | Smolder |
| Storey, Storeys | Story, Stories |
| Sulphate, | Sulfate, |
| Sulfate | Sulphate |
| Sulphur, Sulfur | Sulfur, Sulphur |
| Through | Through, Thru |
| Tyre | Tire |
| Vice | Vise, Vice |
| Whisky (Scotland), Whiskey (Ireland) | Whiskey, Whisky |
| Yoghurt, | Yogurt, |
| Yogurt, Yoghourt | Yoghurt |
| Organise | Organize |
| British English | American English |
| Aerial (Radio/TV) | Antenna |
| American Football | Football |
| Anorak | Parka |
| Articulated Lorry | Trailer Truck/Semi Trailer |
| Aubergine | Eggplant |
| Autumn | Fall |
| Bank Holiday | Legal Holiday |
| Bank Note | Bill |
| Bap | Hamburger Bun |
| Bat (Ping Pong) | Paddle |
| Bath | Bathtub |
| Bath (V.) | Bathe |
| Bathroom | Bathroom/Restroom/Washroom |
| Big Dipper | Roller Coaster |
| Bill | Check (Restaurant) |
| Bill/Account | Account |
| Billion = Million Million | Billion = Thousand Million |
| Biscuit (Sweet) | Cookie |
| Black Or White?(Coffee) | With Or Without? |
| Blackleg/Scab | Scab |
| Black Treacle | Molasses |
| Blind (Window) | Shade |
| Block Of Flats | Apartment House |
| Block Of Flats | Apartment Building |
| Blue Jeans | Dungarees/Jeans |
| Bomb (Success) | Bomb (Disaster) |
| Bonnet (Car) | Hood |
| Book (V.) | Make Reservation |
| Boot (Car) | Trunk |
| Bootlace/Shoelace | Shoestring |
| Bowler/Hard Hat | Derby |
| Braces | Suspenders |
| Break (School) | Recess |
| Briefs/Underpants | Shorts/Jockey Shorts |
| Broad Bean | Lima Bean |
| Bureau De Change | Currency Exchange |
| Butter Muslin/Cheese Cloth | Cheese Cloth |
| C | |
| Candyfloss | Cotton Candy |
| Caravan | Trailer |
| Caretaker/Porter | Janitor |
| Car Park | Parking Lot |
| Catapult | Slingshot |
| Cattle Grid | Texas Gate |
| Centre (City/Business) | Downtown |
| Central Reservation | Median Strip/Divider |
| Chairman (Business) | President |
| Chemist | Druggist |
| Chemist’s Shop | Pharmacy/Drugstore |
| Chest Of Drawers | Dresser/Bureau |
| Chips | French Fries |
| Cinema | Movie House/Theater |
| Class/Form (School) | Grade |
| Cloakroom | Check Room |
| Cloakroom Attendant | Hat Check Girl |
| Clothes Peg | Clothes Pin |
| Conscription | Draft |
| Contraceptive/Condom | Rubber |
| Convoy | Caravan |
| Cooker | Stove |
| Corn Flour | Corn Starch |
| Corporation/Local Authority | City/Municipal Government |
| Cot/Crib | Crib |
| Cotton | Thread |
| Cotton Reel | Spool |
| Cotton Wool | Cotton Batting |
| Courgette | Zucchini |
| Court Shoe | Pump |
| Cream Cracker | Soda Cracker |
| Crisps | Chips/Potato Chips |
| Cul-De-Sac | Dead End |
| Cupboard | Closet |
| Curtains | Drapes |
| D | |
| Desiccated (Coconut) | Shredded |
| Director (Company) | Manager |
| Directory Enquiries | Information Assistance |
| Directory Enquiries | Directory Assistance |
| District | Precinct |
| Diversion | Detour |
| Drain (Indoors) | Sewer Pipe |
| Draper | Drygoods Store |
| Draught Excluder | Weather Stripping |
| Draughts | Checkers |
| Drawing Pin | Thumb Tack |
| Dressing-Gown | Bathrobe |
| Dual Carriageway | Divided Highway |
| Dummy | Pacifier |
| Dungarees | Overalls |
| Dustbin/Bin | Garbage Can/Trash Can |
| Dynamo | Generator |
| E | |
| Eiderdown | Comforter |
| State Agent | Realtor |
| Estate Car | Station Wagon |
| F | |
| Fair (Fun) | Carnival |
| Filling Station / Petrol Station | Gas Station |
| Film | Movie |
| First Floor | Second Floor |
| Fish Slice | Spatula/Egg Lifter |
| Fitted Carpet | Wall To Wall Carpet |
| Flannel | Wash Cloth |
| Flat | Apartment |
| Flex | Electric Cord/Wire |
| Fly-Over | Overpass |
| Football/Soccer | Soccer |
| Fortnight | Two Weeks |
| Foyer | Lobby/Foyer |
| Full Stop (Punctuation) | Period |
| Funny Bone | Crazy Bone |
| G | |
| Gallery (Theatre) | Balcony |
| Gangway | Aisle |
| Gaol | Jail |
| Garden | Yard |
| Gear Lever | Gear Shift |
| Giddy | Dizzy |
| Give A Bell(To Phone) | Give A Buzz |
| Goods Truck (Railway) | Freight Truck |
| Goose Pimples | Goose Bumps |
| Gramophone/Record Player | Phonograph/Record Player |
| Greenfingers | Green Thumb |
| Grill (V.) | Broil |
| Guard (Railway) | Conductor |
| Gym Shoes/Plimsolls | Sneakers/Tennis Shoes |
| Tennis Shoes/Trainers | Sneakers/Tennis Shoes |
| H | |
| Hair Grip/Kirby Grip | Bobbie Pin |
| Handbag | Purse/Pocket Book |
| Hardware | Housewares |
| Headmaster/Mistress | Principal |
| Hire Purchase | Installment Plan |
| Holiday | Vacation |
| Homely (=Pleasant) | Homely (=Ugly) |
| Hoover (N.) | Vacuum Cleaner |
| Hoover (V.) | Vacuum |
| Housing Estate | Sub-Division |
| I | |
| Ice/Sorbet | Sherbet |
| Iced Lolly | Popsicle |
| Icing Sugar | Powdered Sugar |
| Icing Sugar | Confectioner’s Sugar |
| Identification Parade | Line-Up |
| Immersion Heater(Electric) | Water Heater |
| Interval | Intermission |
| Ironmonger | Hardware Store |
| J | |
| Jab (Injection) | Shot |
| Joint (Meat) | Roast |
| Jug | Pitcher |
| Jumper/Sweater/Pullover | Sweater/Pullover |
| K | |
| Kiosk/Box (Telephone) | Telephone Booth |
| Kipper | Smoked Herring |
| Knickers (Girl’s) | Underwear/Panties |
| Knock Up (Tennis) | Warm Up |
| Knock Up (Call From Sleep) | In American Slang This |
| L | Means To Get A Woman Pregnant |
| Label | |
| Larder | Tag |
| Lavatory/Toilet/W.C./Loo | Pantry |
| Lay-By | John/Bathroom/Washroom |
| Leader | Pull-Off |
| (Leading Article In Newspaper) | Editorial |
| Leader(1st Violin In Orchestra) | Concert Master |
| Left Luggage Office | Baggage Room |
| Let | Lease/Rent |
| Level Crossing (Railway) | Grade Crossing |
| Lift | Elevator |
| Limited (Company) | Incorporated |
| Lodger | Roomer |
| Lorry | Truck |
| Lost Property | Lost And Found |
| M | |
| Mackintosh | Raincoat |
| Made To Measure | Custom Made |
| Managing Director/MD | General Manager |
| Marrow | Squash |
| Methylated Spirits | Denatured Alcohol |
| Mileometer | Odometer |
| Motorway | Freeway/Throughway |
| Motorway | Super Highway |
| N | |
| Nappy | Diaper |
| Neat (Drink) | Straight |
| Net Curtains | Sheers/Under Drapes |
| Newsagent | News Dealer/News Stand |
| Nought | Zero |
| Noughts And Crosses | Tic-Tac-Toe |
| Number Plate | License Plate |
| O | |
| Off License/Wine Merchant | Liquor Store |
| Oven Cloth/Gloves | Pot Holder/Oven Mitt |
| Overtake (Vehicle) | Pass |
| P | |
| Pack (Of Cards) | Deck |
| Packed Lunch | Sack Lunch/Bag Lunch |
| Panel Beater | Body Shop |
| Pants (Boy’s Underwear) | Shorts/Underwear |
| Paraffin | Kerosene |
| Parcel | Package |
| Pavement/Footpath | Sidewalk |
| Personal Call | Person-To-Person Call |
| Petrol | Gas/Gasoline |
| Pillar Box/Letter Box | Mail Box |
| Plaster/Elastoplast | Bandaid |
| Point/Power Point/Socket | Outlet/Socket |
| Post | |
| Postal Code | Zip Code |
| Postman | Mailman/Postman |
| Postponement | Raincheck |
| Pram | Baby Carriage/Baby Buggy |
| Prison | Penitentiary |
| Public Convenience | Bathroom/Restroom/Washroom |
| Public School | Private School |
| Pudding | Dessert |
| Purse | Change Purse |
| Pushchair | Stroller |
| Put Down/Entered(Goods) | Bought/Charged |
| Put Through (Telephone) | Connect |
| Q | |
| Queue (N.) | Line |
| Queue (V.) | Stand In Line/Line Up |
| R | |
| Rasher (Bacon) | Slice |
| Reception (Hotel) | Front Desk |
| Receptionist | Desk Clerk |
| Return Ticket | Round Trip Ticket |
| Reverse Charges | Call Collect |
| Reversing Lights | Back Up Lights |
| Ring Up/Phone | Call/Phone |
| Roof/Hood (Car) | Top |
| Roundabout (Road) | Traffic Circle |
| Rubber | Eraser |
| Rubbish | Garbage/Trash |
| S | |
| Saloon Car | Sedan |
| Scribbling Pad/Block | Scratch Pad |
| Sellotape | Scotch Tape |
| Semi-Detached | Duplex |
| Semolina | Cream Of Wheat |
| Shattered | Exhausted |
| Shop Assistant | Sales Clerk/Sales Girl |
| Sideboard | Buffet |
| Sideboards (Hair) | Sideburns |
| Silencer (Car) | Muffler |
| Single Ticket | One Way Ticket |
| Sitting Room | Living Room |
| Living Room | Living Room |
| Lounge | Living Room |
| Drawing Room | Living Room |
| Skipping Rope | Jump Rope |
| Skirting Board | Baseboard |
| Sledge/Toboggan | Sled |
| Smalls (Washing) | Underwear |
| Sofa | Davenport/Couch |
| Solicitor | Lawyer/Attorney |
| Sorbet | Sherbet |
| Spanner | Monkey Wrench |
| Spirits (Drink) | Liquor |
| Spring Onion | Scallion/Green Onion |
| Staff (Academic) | Faculty |
| Stalls (Theatre) | Orchestra Seats |
| Stand (For Public Office) | Run |
| Standard Lamp | Floor Lamp |
| State School | Public School |
| Sellotape | Adhesive Tape |
| Stone (Fruit) | Pit |
| Sultana | Raisin |
| Surgery(Doctor’s/Dentist’s) | Office |
| Surgical Spirit | Rubbing Alcohol |
| Suspender Belt | Garter Belt |
| Suspenders | Garters |
| Swede | Turnip/Rutabaga |
| Sweet Corn | Corn |
| Sweet Shop/Confectioner | Candy Store |
| Sweets/Chocolate | Candy |
| Swiss Roll | Jelly Roll |
| T | |
| Tadpole | Pollywog |
| Tap | Faucet |
| Teat (Baby’s Bottle) | Nipple |
| Tea Trolley | Tea Cart |
| Telegram | Wire |
| Telephone Box | Phone Booth |
| Term Academic (3 In A Year) | Semester(2 In A Year) |
| Tights | Pantyhose |
| Time-Table | Schedule |
| Tin | Can |
| Tip (N. And V.) | Dump |
| Torch | Flashlight |
| Traffic Lights | Stop Lights |
| Traffic Lights | Traffic Signals |
| Traffic Lights | Stop Signals |
| Trousers | Pants/Slacks |
| Truncheon (Police) | Night Stick |
| Trunk Call/Long Distance | Long Distance Call |
| Tube/Underground | Subway |
| Turnover | Sales/Revenue |
| Turn-Ups (Trousers) | Cuffs (Pants) |
| U | |
| Undergraduates: | Undergraduates: |
| – 1st Year | – Freshman |
| – 2nd Year | – Sophomore |
| – 3rd Year | – Junior |
| – 4th Year | – Senior |
| Unit Trust | Mutual Fund |
Title: Difference between British and American English Words and Spellings
Description: Here is a list of words that have differences between British and American English Words and Spellings.
Keywords: Difference between British and American English, Difference in British and American words, Difference in British and American spellings,