Differences between American English and British English occur in all aspects of the language such as pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, idioms, and the formatting of dates and numbers. Many of these differences may cause a misunderstanding when an American is speaking to an English man, or vice versa. The most remarkable difference occurs in vocabulary. Many of the words have entirely different meanings in the two versions of English. These words reveal why we call Britain and America “two nations divided by a common language.”
The following is a list of words used differently in British English (BrE) and American English (AmE). Search a word to find its US English or UK English equivalent and avoid the confusion in your communications.
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| aeroplane | airplane |
| agony column | advice column |
| Alsatian (dog) | German shepherd |
| anticlockwise | counterclockwise |
| articulated lorry | tractor-trailer truck |
| assurance | life insurance |
| aubergine | eggplant |
| autumn (US and UK) | fall |
| badge | pin |
| banana skin | banana peel |
| barrister | trial lawyer/trial attorney |
| basin (bathroom) | sink |
| beach hut | cabana |
| bedside table | nightstand |
| beetroot | beets |
| billion | a million million (The US billion is a thousand million.) |
| blind (pull-down) | shade/window shade |
| block letters | capital letters (US and UK) |
| boiled sweets | hard candy |
| boiler suit | coveralls |
| bonnet (on a car) | hood |
| bookstall | newsstand |
| boot (on a car) | trunk |
| bowler hat | derby |
| braces | suspenders |
| camp bed | cot |
| candyfloss | cotton candy |
| canteen | cafeteria |
| car park | parking lot |
| carrier | express company |
| carrier bag | tote bag/shopping bag (US and UK) |
| carry-cot | baby carrier |
| cash machine/cash dispenser | ATM (automatic teller machine) |
| cashier | teller in a bank or post office (cashier in other businesses) |
| cashpoint | cash machine/ATM |
| casualty (hospital) | emergency |
| catapult (US and UK) | slingshot |
| Catherine wheel (firework) | pinwheel |
| caustic soda | lye |
| central reservation | median/median strip |
| charity shop | thrift shop |
| chartered accountant | CPA (certified public accountant) |
| chartered surveyor | licensed surveyor |
| chat show | talk show |
| chemist (person) | pharmacist (US and UK) |
| chemist (shop) | drugstore/pharmacy (US and UK) |
| chips | French fries/fries |
| Christian name | first name/given name |
| Christmas pudding | plum pudding (US and UK) |
| CID (Criminal Investigation Department) | FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) |
| cigarette end | cigarette butt (US and UK) |
| cinema (US and UK) | movie theater |
| city centre | downtown |
| cladding (on a building) | siding |
| cloakroom | restroom/checkroom |
| clockwork (of a toy) | wind-up |
| clothes-peg | clothespin |
| cock | rooster |
| company | corporation |
| commercial traveller | traveling salesman (US and UK) |
| commis waiter | busboy |
| commissionaire | uniformed doorman |
| concession | discount |
| constable | police officer |
| cooker | range/stove (US and UK) |
| cornflour | cornstarch |
| corner shop | convenience store |
| cornet (for ice cream) | cone (US and UK) |
| cotton wool | absorbent cotton |
| councillor | councilman |
| courgette | zucchini |
| court shoes | pumps |
| covering letter | cover letter |
| crash barrier (on a road) | guardrail |
| cravat | ascot |
| crayfish (US and UK) | crawfish |
| cream cracker | soda cracker |
| crematorium (US and UK) | crematory |
| crisps | potato chips |
| crockery | plates and dishes |
| crush barrier | barricade (US and UK) |
| crust (on the end of a loaf) | heel |
| cupboard (US and UK) | cabinet |
| curate | assistant church minister |
| curtains (US and UK) | drapes/draperies |
| cutlery | flatware/silverware |
| cutting (newspaper) | clipping (US and UK) |
| c.v. (curriculum vitae) | resume (In the US, a c.v. is longer than a resume.) |
| death duties | estate taxes |
| decorator | house painter (US and UK) |
| diary (for appointments) | calendar |
| dinner jacket | tuxedo/tux |
| dish up | serve |
| diversion (on a road) | detour |
| DIY shop | home improvement store |
| doss-house | flophouse |
| double saucepan | double boiler (US and UK) |
| double-barrelled surname | hyphenated last name |
| drainpipe (US and UK) | rainspout/downspout |
| draughts | checkers |
| dressing-gown | bathrobe |
| drink driving | drunk driving |
| dustbin | trash can/garbage can |
| dustbin day | garbage day |
| dustcart | garbage truck |
| dustman | garbage collector |
| earth wire | ground wire |
| emulsion paint | latex paint |
| en suite (of a room) | with a bathroom |
| estate agent | realtor, real-estate agent |
| evening classes | night school |
| expiry date | expiration date |
| fairy cake | cupcake (US and UK) |
| fancy-dress party | costume party |
| Father Christmas (US and UK) | Santa Claus (US and UK) |
| fender (on a boat) (US and UK) | bumper |
| film (US and UK) | movie (US and UK) |
| fire (gas/electric) | heater |
| fire brigade | fire department |
| fish fingers | fish sticks |
| fish slice | spatula/pancake turner |
| fitted carpet | wall-to-wall carpet |
| fixture (sporting) | sporting event (US and UK) |
| fizzy drink | pop/soda |
| flannel | washcloth/facecloth |
| flask (US and UK) | thermos (US and UK) |
| flat | apartment/condominium/condo |
| flatmate | roommate |
| flautist | flutist |
| flex (electrical) | cord |
| flick-knife | switchblade |
| fly-past | flyover |
| foot-and-mouth disease (US and UK) | hoof-and-mouth disease |
| football | soccer (game)/soccer ball |
| football pitch | football field |
| footpath | sidewalk/trail |
| forthcoming | upcoming |
| fortnight | two weeks |
| foyer (US and UK) | lobby (US and UK) |
| Freephone/Freefone | toll free |
| French pleat (hairstyle) | French twist/French roll |
| fringe (hair) | bangs |
| frog-spawn | frogs eggs |
| full stop (punctuation) | period |
| fun fair | amusement park |
| further education | continuing education |
| geyser | water heater |
| girl guide | Girl Scout |
| golden handshake | retirement present (for long service) |
| goods lift | freight elevator |
| granny flat | mother-in-law apartment |
| greaseproof paper | wax paper |
| greengroceries | produce |
| grill (US and UK) | broil |
| ground floor | first floor |
| group litigation order (legal term) | class-action suit |
| guide dog | Seeing Eye dog |
| gum-shield | mouth guard |
| guttering | gutters (US and UK) |
| gymkhana | horse show |
| hair slide | barrette |
| half-moon glasses | half glasses |
| handbag (US and UK) | purse/pocket book |
| hardback (book) | hardcover |
| hash (#) | pound sign |
| hatch (in a house) | pass-through |
| head waiter | maitre d |
| headmaster/headmistress (US and UK) | principal |
| heath | open parkland |
| hen party | girls night out |
| hessian | burlap |
| het up | agitated |
| hip bag | belt bag |
| hire | rent |
| hire purchase, buy on (verb) | make payments/installments on |
| hoarding | billboard (US and UK) |
| hob | range top/stove top |
| holiday | vacation |
| holiday-maker | vacationer |
| horse blinkers | horse blinders |
| horsebox | horse trailer |
| horse riding | horseback riding |
| hotchpotch | hodgepodge |
| house builder | homebuilder |
| ice lolly | Popsicle (brand name) |
| icing (US and UK) | frosting |
| identity/identification parade | line up (US and UK) |
| immersion heater | hot water heater (electric) |
| indicator (on a car) | turn signal |
| inheritance tax | estate tax |
| insect (US and UK) | bug (US and UK) |
| inverted commas | quotation marks (US and UK) |
| invigilator (at university exams) | proctor |
| ironmonger | hardware dealer |
| jelly | Jell-O (brand name) |
| Jobcentre | employment office |
| joiner | cabinetmaker |
| joint | roast (US and UK) |
| jug | pitcher |
| jumble sale | rummage sale (US and UK) |
| jumper | sweater (US and UK) |
| kettle (US and UK) | teakettle |
| knickerbockers | knickers |
| knickers (pants) | panties |
| ladybird | ladybug |
| larder | pantry (US and UK) |
| launderette | laundromat |
| lavatory (US and UK) | bathroom/rest room |
| lead (electrical) | cord |
| leading article | editorial |
| let (property) | lease/rent out |
| letter-box | mailbox/mail drop |
| lifebelt/lifebuoy | life preserver |
| lift | elevator |
| lightning-conductor | lightning rod |
| lipsalve | Chap Stick (brand name) /lip balm |
| litter bin | trash can |
| liver sausage | liverwurst |
| lodger | boarder/roomer |
| loft | attic (US and UK) |
| lollipop (US and UK) | sucker (for children) |
| long-sighted | farsighted |
| lounge | family room |
| lounge suit | business suit (US and UK) |
| lucky dip | grab bag |
| mac/mackintosh | raincoat |
| Madeira cake | pound cake |
| main course (in a restaurant) | entree |
| mains | main |
| maize | corn (US and UK) |
| market gardener | truck farmer |
| marks (in school) | grades |
| maths | math |
| measuring jug | measuring cup (US and UK) |
| megaphone | bullhorn |
| methylated spirits/meths | denatured alcohol |
| milk churn | milk can |
| milk float | milk delivery truck |
| minced meat | ground meat |
| mincer | meat grinder |
| mobile (phone) | cell (phone) |
| mortise lock | dead bolt |
| mouth organ | harmonica (US and UK) |
| mudguard | fender |
| multi-storey car park | parking garage |
| mum | mom |
| music hall | vaudeville |
| musical box | music box |
| nail varnish | nail polish (US and UK) |
| nappy | diaper |
| nervy | nervous (see nervy US) |
| net curtains | sheer curtains/sheers |
| newsreader | newscaster |
| nightdress | nightgown |
| nil | zip/zero (US and UK) |
| noddle | noodle (US and UK) |
| note (currency) | bill |
| notice-board | bulletin board |
| noughts and crosses | tic-tac-toe |
| number-plate | license plate |
| OAP (old age pensioner) | senior citizen (US and UK) |
| oblique (the/symbol) | slash (US and UK) |
| old age pension | Social Security |
| ordinary shares | common stock |
| outsize | extra-large (US and UK) |
| overtake (a car on a road) (US and UK) | pass (US and UK) |
| P&P (postage and packing) | S&H (shipping and handling) |
| pack (of cards) (US and UK) | deck of cards |
| paddling pool | wading pool |
| panda car | police cruiser |
| paper round | paper route |
| paraffin | kerosene |
| patience (card game) | solitaire |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| pen-friend | pen pal |
| petrol | gas/gasoline |
| physiotherapist | physical therapist |
| (the) pictures | movies |
| pillar-box | mailbox |
| pinafore dress | jumper |
| pip | seed/pit (in fruit) |
| pith | pulp |
| plaster (for a wound) | Band-Aid (brand name) (US and UK) |
| Plasticine (brand name) | Play-Doh (brand name) |
| plimsolls | canvas sneakers |
| pneumatic drill (US and UK) | jackhammer |
| polo-neck | turtleneck |
| pontoon (card game) | blackjack (US and UK) |
| porridge | oatmeal (cooked) |
| post (US and UK) | mail (US and UK) |
| post-mortem (US and UK) | autopsy (US and UK) |
| postcode | Zip Code |
| power point | electrical outlet |
| pram / perambulator | baby carriage/stroller |
| prawns (US and UK) | shrimp (US and UK) |
| prefect (in a school) | monitor (US and UK) |
| presently | soon (US and UK) |
| primary school | grammar school/grade school |
| prison warder | corrections officer |
| propelling pencil | mechanical pencil |
| property | real estate |
| prospectus | brochure |
| pub | bar (US and UK) |
| public prosecutor | district attorney/DA |
| public telephone box | pay phone (US and UK) |
| public transport | public transportation |
| pudding basin | pudding bowl (US and UK) |
| puncture | flat (tire) |
| push-bike | bicycle (US and UK) |
| pushchair | stroller |
| pylon | high-tension tower |
| quay | wharf(US and UK) |
| query | question |
| queue up | line up |
| racecourse (US and UK) | racetrack |
| rag | newspaper |
| railway | railroad |
| ramble | hike (US and UK) |
| rasher | slice of bacon (US and UK) |
| return ticket | round-trip ticket |
| reverse-charge call | collect call |
| rise (in pay) | raise |
| roundabout (for children) | merry-go-round |
| roundabout (traffic) | traffic circle/rotary (New England) |
| rubber | eraser |
| rubbish | garbage/trash |
| Rubbish! | Nonsense! |
| saddle (on a bicycle) | seat |
| (on) sale | for sale |
| saleroom | salesroom |
| sales talk | sales pitch |
| saloon bar | lounge bar (US and UK) |
| salt beef | corned beef |
| sandpit | sandbox |
| sandwich-cake | layer cake |
| sanitary towel | sanitary napkin |
| saucy | impudent/sassy |
| scarper | run away |
| scatty | scatterbrained |
| scone | biscuit |
| screw | salary, wages |
| scribbling block | scratch paper |
| scrum | scrimmage (in sports); confusion |
| scullery | room off a kitchen for washing dishes |
| seaside | beach (US and UK) |
| secateurs | pruners/pruning shears |
| Sellotape (brand name) | Scotch tape (brand name) |
| service flats | apartment hotel |
| serviette | napkin (US and UK) |
| settee (US and UK) | couch/sofa (US and UK) |
| shingle | beach pebbles (see shingle US) |
| shoeblack | bootblack |
| shop assistant | salesperson |
| shop steward | labor union representative |
| shopping centre (US and UK) | mall |
| shopping trolley | shopping cart |
| short-sighted (vision) | nearsighted |
| sideboards | sideburns (US and UK) |
| sidesman | usher (in a church) |
| single ticket | one-way ticket |
| skipping-rope | jump rope |
| skirting-board | baseboard |
| sleeping partner | silent partner |
| slice/fish slice | spatula/pancake turner |
| slot machine | vending machine (US and UK) |
| small print (US and UK) | fine print (US and UK) |
| snakes and ladders (game) | Chutes and Ladders (brand name) |
| social security | welfare |
| soft drink (US and UK) | soda/pop/tonic/Coke |
| solicitor | lawyer/attorney |
| solitaire | peg solitaire |
| sort code | routing number |
| sous chef | commis chef |
| soya beans | soybeans |
| spanner | wrench (US and UK) |
| speciality | specialty |
| spectacles (US and UK) | glasses (US and UK)/eyeglasses |
| sponge bag | toilet bag |
| sports jacket | sport coat |
| spring onion | green onion/scallion |
| stabilisers (on a childs bike) | training wheels |
| Stanley knife (brand name) | utility knife |
| state school | public school |
| STD (subscriber trunk dialling) | long distance |
| stick beans | pole beans |
| sticker (US and UK) | decal |
| stockings (US and UK) | hose |
| stone (in fruit) | pit |
| straight away | immediately (US and UK) |
| stroke (the / symbol) | slash (US and UK) |
| stuffing (US and UK) | dressing |
| subway | underpass |
| summer time | daylight-saving time |
| superannuation | pension plan |
| supply teacher | substitute teacher |
| surname (US and UK) | last name (US and UK) |
| suspenders | garters |
| swede | rutabaga |
| sweet | dessert (US and UK) |
| sweets | candy |
| Swiss roll | jelly roll |
| ta-ta | goodbye |
| take-away (food) | takeout |
| tap | faucet |
| tarmac (on a road) | blacktop |
| tea towel | dishtowel/kitchen towel |
| telegraph pole | telephone pole |
| telly | TV (US and UK) |
| terraced house | row house |
| terraces (at a sporting event) | stands (US and UK) |
| third-party insurance | liability insurance |
| tick | check mark/check |
| tights | pantyhose |
| timber | lumber |
| tin | can |
| tin-opener | can opener (US and UK) |
| toffee apple | candy apple |
| toilet | rest room/bathroom/mens room/ womens room |
| torch | flashlight |
| towards (US and UK) | toward |
| tower block | high-rise (US and UK) |
| trading estate | industrial park |
| traffic fine | ticket |
| traffic warden | parking enforcement officer |
| trainers | sneakers |
| tram | streetcar |
| treacle | molasses |
| tread on (US and UK) | step on (US and UK) |
| trilby (hat) | fedora |
| trolley | cart |
| trousers (US and UK) | pants (US and UK) |
| truncheon | billy club/nightstick |
| trunk (large suitcase) (US and UK) | steamer trunk |
| tube (train) | subway |
| tumble-drier | dryer |
| turn-ups (on trousers) | cuffs |
| turnip-tops | turnip greens |
| turtle-neck | crew neck |
| twice (US and UK) | two times |
| tyre lever (US and UK) | tire wrench/tire iron |
| underground (train) | subway |
| unit trust | mutual fund |
| upfield (in sports) | downfield |
| valuer | appraiser |
| valves (electronic) | tubes |
| verge (on a road) | shoulder (US and UK)/side median |
| vest | undershirt |
| veterinary surgeon | veterinarian |
| vicar | minister (US and UK) |
| visiting card | calling card |
| voluntary work | volunteer work |
| waistcoat | vest |
| walking-stick (US and UK) | cane |
| warder | prison officer/guard |
| water biscuit | soda cracker |
| water pistol (US and UK) | squirt gun |
| way out (on a sign) | exit |
| WC | restroom |
| weatherboard | clapboard |
| wedding ring (US and UK) | wedding band |
| weir (in a river) | low dam |
| white goods | household appliances |
| white spirit | liquid solvent |
| windscreen | windshield |
| witness box | witness stand |
| zebra crossing | crosswalk/pedestrian crossing (US and UK) |
| zip | zipper |
| Z (zed) | Z (zee) |