Here are some of the major vocab differences between British and American English. This article is just meant to serve as a reference. Keep in mind that exact words can vary depending on accent and region in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Today, we’ll look at some words in American English and their British English equivalents.
British
English |
American English |
| Picture |
Photo |
| Tin |
Can |
| Biscuit |
Cookie |
| Crisps |
Chips |
| Maize |
Corn |
| Sick |
ill |
| Rubbish |
Garbage |
| Roommate |
Flat mat |
| Bonnet |
Hat |
| Mad |
Crazy |
British
English |
American English |
| Autumn |
Fall |
| Tape |
Faucet |
| Torch |
Flashlight |
| Angry |
Mad |
| Cinema |
Movie theatre |
| Muesli |
Granola |
| Parcel |
Package |
| Creche |
Daycare |
| Handbag |
Purse |
| Shop |
Store |
British
English |
American English |
| Tyre |
Tire |
| Tart |
Pie |
| Railway |
Railroad |
| Break |
Recess |
| Toilet |
Restroom |
| CV |
Resume |
| Windscreen |
Windshield |
| Nappy |
Diaper |
| Queue |
Line |
| Mate |
Buddy |
British
English |
American English |
| Coriander |
Cilantro |
| Post |
Mail |
| Bill |
Check |
| Curtains |
Drapes |
| Engine |
Motor |
| Floor |
Storey |
| Football |
Soccer |
| Plaster |
Band-aid |
| Hire |
Rent |
| Cooker |
Stove |
British
English |
American English |
| Cupboard |
Closet |
| Pitch |
Field |
| Maths |
Math |
| Chemist Shop |
Pharmacy |
| Receptionist |
Front desk |
| Barrister |
Attorney |
| Trolley |
Cart |
| Washbasin |
Sink |
| Rucksack |
Backpack |
| Academic staff |
Faculty |
British
English |
American
English |
| Open day |
Open house |
| Headmaster |
Principal |
| Cutlery |
Silverware |
| Pram |
Baby carriage |
| Time table |
Schedule |
| Staffroom |
Teacher’s lounge |
| Candy Floss |
Cotton candy |
| Primary school |
Elementary School |
| Jug |
Pitcher |
| Grill |
Broiler |
British
English |
American English |
| Fringe |
Bangs |
| Eggy bread |
French toast |
| Zip |
Zipper |
| Spring onions |
Green onion |
| Phone box |
Phonebooth |
| Swimming suit |
Bathing suit |
| Nil |
Zero |
| Mum |
Mom |
| Sledge |
Sled |
| Jumper |
Sweater |
British
English |
American English |
| State School |
Public school |
| Serviette |
Napkin |
| City Centre |
Downtown |
| Rocket |
Arugula |
| Dummy |
Pacifier |
| Crossroad |
Intersection |
| Fire engine |
Firetruck |
| Lorry |
Truck |
| Cashier |
Teller |
| Bath |
Bathtub |
British
English |
American English |
| Dustbin |
Trashcan |
| Garden |
Backyard |
| Film |
Movie |
| Motorbike |
Motorcycle |
| Roundabout |
Traffic circle |
| Rubber |
Eraser |
| Aubergine |
Eggplant |
| Beetroot |
Beet |
| Sellotape |
Scotch tape |
| Fairy Cake |
Cupcake |
British
English |
American English |
| Drought |
Checkers |
| Ladybird |
Ladybug |
| Flan |
Fruit pie |
| Appetizers |
Starter |
| Braces |
Suspender |
| Cot |
Crib |
| Number plate |
License plate |
| Exam |
Test |
| Gherkin |
Pickle |
| Lift |
Elevator |
British
English |
American English |
| Flat |
Apartment |
| Trainers |
Sneakers |
| Motorway |
Highway |
| Chips |
French fries |
| Holiday |
Vacation |
| Car park |
Parking lot |
| Patrol |
Gasoline |
| Taxi |
Cab |
| Mobile phone |
Cell phone |
| Aeroplane |
Airplane |
British
English |
American English |
| Pavement |
Sidewalk |
| Underground |
Subway |
| Sales assistant |
Sales Clark |
| Marrow |
Squash |
| Single ticket |
One-way ticket |
| Private |
Personal |
| Blinker |
Indicator |
| Pushchair |
Stroller |
| Minced meat |
Ground meat |
| Postman |
Mailman |
British
English |
American English |
| Fire brigade |
Fire Department |
| Kit |
Uniform |
| Boot |
Trunk |
| Courgette |
Zucchini |
| High Street |
Main street |
| Footwear |
Sidewalk |
| Plimsolls |
Gym shoes |
| Hair slide |
Barrett |
| Wellington boots |
Rubber boots |
| Sweetshop |
Candy store |
British
English |
American English |
| Trousers |
Pants |
| Skip |
Dumpster |
| Skipping rope |
Jump rope |
| Underwear |
Panties |
| Waste coat |
Vest |
| Caretaker |
Janitor |
| Pyjama |
Pajama |
| Clothes peg |
Clothespin |
| Dressing gown |
Bathrobe |
| Dungarees |
Overalls |
British
English |
American English |
| Dustman |
Garbage man |
| Drawing pin |
Thumbtack |
| Flannel |
Washcloth |
| Oven gloves |
Oven mitt |
| Jumble sale |
Yard sale |
