Vocabulary

American English and British English Words List A to Z PDF

American English British English
Written by English Oye

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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