There are many American English and British English words that are different in meaning. If you’re not familiar with the differences, you may use the wrong word when speaking or writing. This can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
In this blog post, we will list some of the most common American English and British English words that differ in meaning. We will provide a definition for each word, as well as an example sentence. Keep in mind that there are many more American English and British English words than what is listed here, but these are some of the most commonly used ones.
British Vs American Spelling Differences
British English |
American English |
cheque |
check |
colour |
color |
cosy |
cozy |
dialogue |
dialog |
favourite |
favorite |
humour |
humor |
jewellery |
jewelry |
kilometre |
kilometer |
mum, mam or mom |
mom |
realise |
realize |
theatre |
theater |
traveller |
traveler |
tyre |
tire |
American English and British English Words
American & British Words with A
British |
American |
Anorak |
Jacket, parka |
Aerial |
Antenna |
Aerial (TV, radio) |
Antenna, aerial |
Alsatian |
German shepherd |
Accelerator |
Gas pedal, accelerator |
Alsatian |
German shepherd |
Autumn |
Fall |
Aubergine |
Eggplant |
American Indian |
Native American |
At the weekend |
On the weekend |
British and American Words with B
British |
American |
Base rate |
Prime rate |
Banknote |
Bill |
Bonnet |
Hood |
Bonnet |
Hood |
Biscuit |
Cookie |
Bill |
Check (restaurant) |
Bank holiday |
Legal holiday |
Biscuit |
Cookie |
Barrister, solicitor |
Lawyer, attorney |
Beetroot |
Beet |
Bin, dustbin |
Garbage can/trash can |
Bomb (success) |
Bomb (disaster) |
Bank holiday |
National holiday, federal holiday |
Boot |
Trunk |
Braces |
Suspenders |
Biscuit |
Cracker |
Break |
Recess |
Box room |
Lumber room |
Book |
Make reservations |
Bill |
Check |
Boot |
Trunk /rear deck |
Biro |
Ball-point pen |
British and American Words with C
British |
American |
Caretaker |
Janitor |
City centre |
Downtown, city center |
Cooker |
Stove |
Chemist’s shop |
Drugstore, pharmacy |
Chest of drawers |
Bureau |
Courgette |
Zucchini |
Chemist’s shop |
Drug store / Pharmacy |
Curriculum vitae (CV) |
Résumé |
Cot/Crib |
Baby bed |
Cotton |
Thread |
Chips |
French fries |
Condom |
Rubber |
Cooker |
Stove |
Cinema |
Movie house/ theater |
Clothes peg |
Clothespin |
Clothes peg |
Clothes pin |
Centre |
Downtown |
Candy floss |
Cotton candy |
Curtains |
Drapes |
Car park |
Parking lot |
Corn flour |
Corn starch |
Chemist |
Druggist |
Centre |
Center |
Corporation |
City |
Cot (Baby) |
Crib |
Crossroads |
Crossroad (in the country) |
Cosy |
Cozy |
Chips |
French fries |
Cloakroom |
Checkroom, coatroom |
Crisps |
Chips |
Cotton wool |
Cotton ball |
Crisps |
Potato chips |
Colour |
Color |
Caravan |
Trailer |
Car park |
Parking lot |
Catalogue |
Catalog |
Cupboard |
Closet |
British and American Words with D
British |
American |
Dinner jacket |
Tux, tuxedo |
Directory enquiries |
Directory assistance |
District |
Precinct |
Diversion |
Detour |
Double cream |
Heavy cream |
Drain |
Sewer pipe |
Draught |
Draft |
Draughts |
Checkers |
Drawing pin |
Thumbtack |
Drawing pin |
Thumbtack |
Dressing gown |
(bath) robe |
Dressing gown |
Bathrobe |
Drink driving |
Drunk driving |
Driver |
Engineer (train) |
Driving licence |
Driver’s license |
Dummy |
Pacifier |
Dustbin |
Garbage can |
Duvet |
Comforter |
Dynamo |
Generator |
British and American Words with E
British |
American |
Earth wire |
Ground wire |
Engaged |
Busy |
Enquiry |
Inquiry |
Estate agent |
Realtor |
Estate car |
Station wagon |
Everywhere |
Everyplace, everywhere |
Expiry date |
Expiration date |
British and American Words with F
British |
American |
Face flannel |
Wash cloth |
Fag |
Cigarette |
Fancy dress |
Costumes |
Father Christmas |
Santa Claus |
Favourite |
Favorite |
Filling Station |
Gas station |
Film |
Movie |
Film |
Film, movie |
Fire brigade |
Fire department |
First floor |
Second floor |
Fish-fingers |
Fish-sticks |
Flannel |
Face cloth, wash cloth |
Flat |
Apartment |
Flat |
Apartment |
Flavour |
Flavor |
Flyover |
Overpass |
Football |
Soccer |
Football |
Soccer |
Footpath |
Sidewalk |
Fortnight |
Two weeks |
Fortnight |
Two weeks |
Fringe |
Bangs |
From Monday to Friday |
From Monday to Friday |
Full stop |
Period |
Full stop |
Period |
British and American Words with G
British |
American |
Gallery |
Balcony |
Gaol/jail |
Jail |
Garden |
Yard |
Garden |
Yard |
Gear lever |
Gear shift |
Gents |
Men’s Room |
Geyser |
Water heater |
Goods train |
Freight train |
Goods truck |
Freight truck |
Ground floor |
First floor, ground floor (in public buildings) |
Ground floor |
First floor |
British and American Words with H
British |
American |
Hairgrip |
Bobbie pin |
Harbour |
Harbor |
Headmaster, headteacher |
Principal |
Hire purchase |
Installment plan |
Hockey |
Field hockey |
Holiday |
Vacation |
Holiday |
Vacation |
Hoover |
Vacuum cleaner |
Hoover |
Vacuum cleaner |
Humour |
Humor |
British and American Words with I
British |
American |
Icing sugar |
Powdered sugar |
Icing sugar |
Powdered sugar |
Indicator |
Blinker, turn signal |
Interval |
Intermission |
Inverted commas, quotation marks |
Quotation marks |
Ironmonger |
Hardware store |
British and American Words with J
British |
American |
Jacket potato |
Baked potato |
Jewellery |
Jewelry |
Joe Bloggs |
Joe Blow |
Jumble sale |
Yard sale |
Jumper |
Sweater |
British and American Words with K, L and M
British |
American |
Kilometre |
Kilometer |
Knock up |
Awaken someone |
Label |
Tag |
Ladybird |
Ladybug |
Leader |
Editorial |
Let |
Lease / rent |
Letterbox, postbox |
Mailbox |
Lift |
Elevator |
Lift |
Elevator |
Limited |
Incorporation |
Litre |
Liter |
Lorry |
Truck |
Lorry |
Truck |
Lost property |
Lost and found |
Lounge suite |
Business suit |
Mackintosh |
Raincoat |
Mackintosh |
Raincoat |
Managing director |
CEO (chief executive officer) |
Mashed potato, mash |
Mashed potatoes |
Match |
Game |
Maths |
Math |
Mincer |
Meat grinder |
Mobile (phone) |
Cellphone |
Motorbike |
Motorcycle |
Motorbike |
Motorcycle |
Motorway |
Freeway, highway, expressway, interstate |
Motorway |
Freeway / superhighway |
Mum |
Mom |
British and American Words with N and P
British |
American |
Nappy |
Diaper |
Naught |
Zero |
News agent |
News dealer |
Number plate |
License plate |
Packed lunch |
Sack lunch |
Pants |
Shorts (underwear) |
Parcel |
Package |
Penknife |
Pocket knife |
Petrol |
Gas |
Pillar-box |
Mailbox |
Post |
Mail |
Postal Code |
Zip Code |
Postman |
Mailman |
Pram |
Baby carriage |
Purse |
Change purse |
Pushchair |
Stroller |
British and American Words with Q, R and S
British |
American |
Queue |
Line |
Receptionist |
Desk Clerk |
Return ticket |
Round trip ticket |
Ring up |
Call |
Road surface |
Pavement |
Roundabout |
Traffic circle |
Rubber |
Eraser |
Rubbish |
Garbage |
Saloon car |
Sedan |
Shop assistant |
Sales clerk |
Silencer |
Muffler (car) |
Single ticket |
One way ticket |
Skipping rope |
Jump rope |
Small |
Underwear |
Solicitor |
Lawyer /attorney |
Spanner |
Monkey wrench |
Staff |
Faculty |
Stalls |
Orchestra seats |
Sticking plaster |
Adhesive tape |
Sump |
Oil pan |
Sweets |
Candy |
British and American Words with T
British |
American |
Take-away |
Take-out |
Tap |
Faucet |
Tea trolley |
Tea cart |
Telegram |
Wire |
Term |
Semester |
Time-table |
Schedule |
Tin |
Can |
To bath |
To bathe |
To fill in |
To fill out |
To hire |
To rent |
To lay the table |
To set the table |
Toilet/cloakroom |
Restroom |
Torch |
Flashlight |
Trousers |
Pants |
British and American Words with V and W
British |
American |
Valve |
Tube |
Van |
Delivery truck |
Vest |
Undershirt |
Waistcoat |
Vest |
Wallet |
Billfold |
Wash up |
Dishes |
Wash your hands |
Wash up |
Windcheater |
Windbreaker |
Windscreen |
Windshield |
Zebra crossing |
Pedestrian crossing |
British Vs American Clothing Words
British English |
American English |
bootlace/shoelace |
shoestring |
bowler/hard hat |
derby |
Braces |
Suspenders |
briefs/underpants |
shorts/jockey shorts |
Dressing Gown |
Robe |
Dressing Gown |
Bath Robe |
dressing-gown |
bathrobe |
Dungarees |
Overalls |
Jumper / Pullover / Sweater /
Jersey |
Sweater |
Mac (slang for Macintosh) |
Rain Coat |
Nappy |
Diaper |
Pants / Underwear / Knickers |
Underwear / panties |
Pinafore Dress |
Jumper |
Pinny / Apron |
Apron |
Plimsolls |
Gym Shoes |
Polo Neck |
Turtle Neck |
Suspenders |
Holds up stockings |
Swimming costume / Cozzy |
Bathing Suit |
Trainers |
Sneakers |
Trousers |
Pants |
Vest |
Undershirt |
Waistcoat |
Vest |
Wellington Boots / Wellies |
Galoshes |
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