FIX YOUR ENGLISH
  • Home
    • About
    • Testimonials
    • FAQs
    • Privacy Policy
  • Services
    • Proofreading
    • Translations
  • Resources
    • Grammar >
      • Greek Numerals
      • Latin Numerals
      • Greek Root Words
      • Latin Root Words
      • Prefixes
      • Suffixes
    • Punctuation
    • Spelling >
      • British versus American English
      • Canadian English
      • Commonly Misspelled Words that Your Spell Checker Won’t Catch!
      • Nouns That Never Take the Plural “s”
      • Words with Silent Letters in English
  • Contact Us

British Versus American English

Have you ever wondered why jewelry and jewellery are both correct? Or why you sometimes see analyse and analyze? Look no further.

Here is a comprehensive list of over 700 words and phrases used in British English and American English. The left column lists the words alphabetically and the right column lists the words by category. If you are looking for a specific word, use the Search box above or in the Footer. Alternatively, use the Ctrl + F function to locate a word in the lists.

Remember to bookmark this page so you can come back to it as often as you like!
British Versus American English

Words Listed Alphabetically

BRITISH

ENGLISH

AMERICAN

ENGLISH

a lettuce

a head of lettuce

a person who looks after your teeth

a person who cleans your teeth

accommodation

accommodations

action replay

instant replay

aegis

egis

aeon

eon

aerofoil

airfoil

aeroplane

airplane

aesthetic

esthetic

agony aunt

advice columnist

Allen key

Allen wrench

aluminium

aluminum

amoeba

ameba

amphitheatre

amphitheater

anaemia

anemia

analyse

analyze

aniseed

anise

Annual General Meeting

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

anticlockwise

counterclockwise

apologise

apologize

appal

appall

appetiser

appetizer

arbour

arbor

archaeology

archeology

armour

armor

artefact

artifact

Articles of Association

Bylaws

articulated lorry

tractor-trailer

asymmetric bars

uneven bars

at the weekend

on the weekend

aubergine

eggplant

aunt

aunt or aunty

authorise

authorize

autumn

fall

axe

ax

baking tray

cookie sheet

balance sheet

statement of financial position/ balance sheet

bank holiday

legal holiday

baptise

baptize

base rate

prime rate

beetroot

beet(s)

bin

trash can

biscuit

cookie; cracker

black economy

underground economy

blanket bath

sponge bath

block of flats

apartment building

blonde

blond

boiler suit

coveralls

bonnet (of a car)

hood

boob tube

tube top

boot (of a car)

trunk

bottom drawer

hope chest

bowls

lawn bowling

braces

suspenders

brawn (the food)

headcheese

breakdown van

tow truck

breeze block

cinder block

bridging loan

bridge loan

brunette

brunet

building society

savings and loans association

bumbag

fanny pack

caesarean

cesarean

caesium

cesium

café

cafeteria

calibre

caliber

cancellation

cancelation

candour

candor

candyfloss

cotton candy

capitalise

capitalize

car park

parking lot

caramelise

caramelize

carburettor

carburetor

cash dispenser

ATM (Automated Teller Machine)

casualty

emergency room

catalogue

catalog

catalyse

catalyze

catapult

slingshot

categorisation

categorization

categorise

categorize

cauterise

cauterize

centimetre

centimeter

central reservation

median strip

centre

center

cereals

cereal

chairman

president

characterise

characterize

chemist

drugstore/pharmacy

cheque

check

chequered

checkered

chilli

chili

chips

French fries

chips

fries

cinema

movie theater; the movies

civilisation

civilization

civilise

civilize

clamour

clamor

clangour

clangor

clever

smart

cling film

plastic wrap

clothes shop

department store

co-author

coauthor

colour

color

common seal

harbor seal

consumer durables

durable goods

convertible share

convertible bond

cooker

stove

co-opt

coopt

cornflour

cornstarch

corporation tax

income tax

cos (lettuce)

romaine

cost centre

cost center

cosy

cozy

cot death

crib death

cot

crib

cotton bud

cotton swab

cotton wool

absorbent cotton

council estate

(housing) project

councillor

councilor

counsellor

counselor

counter-attack

counterattack

courgette

zucchini

court card

face card

crash barrier

guardrail

creditors

accounts payable

crisps

chips; potato chips

criticise

criticize

crocodile clip

alligator clip

cross-ply

bias-ply

crotchet (music)

quarter note

crueller/cruellest

crueler/cruelest

crystallise

crystalize

cupboard

cabinet

current account

checking account

customise

customize

danger money

hazard pay

debtors

accounts receivable

demister (in a car)

defroster

depreciation

depreciation / amortization

dialling tone

dial tone

diamante

rhinestone

diarrhoea

diarrhea

dishevelled

disheveled

distill

distil

double cream

heavy cream

draughts (game)

checkers

draw

tie

drawing pin

thumbtack

dressing gown

robe; bathrobe

drink-driving

drunk driving

drinks cupboard

liquor cabinet

drinks party

cocktail party

driving licence

driver’s license

dummy (for a baby)

pacifier

dust sheet

drop cloth

dustbin

garbage can

earth (electrical)

ground

engaged (of a phone)

busy

estate agent

real estate agent, realtor (trademark)

estate car

station wagon

ex-directory

unlisted

Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)

special meeting

faeces

feces

faith school

parochial school

familiarise

familiarize

favour

favor

favourite

favorite

fibre

fiber

film

movie

finalise

finalize

financial year

fiscal year

fire brigade/service

fire company/department

first floor

second floor

fish finger

fish stick

fitted carpet

wall-to-wall carpeting

fixed assets

property plant and equipment

flannel

washcloth

flat

apartment

flautist

flutist

flavour

flavor

flexitime

flextime

flick knife

switchblade

flotation

initial public offering (IPO)

flyover

overpass

foetid

fetid

foetus

fetus

football

soccer

footway

sidewalk

fringe (hair)

bangs

fruit (pl.)

fruits

fuelled

fueled

fulfilment

fulfillment

full stop (punctuation)

period

funneled

funneled

furore

furor

galvanise

galvanize

gaol

jail

garden

yard; lawn

gear lever

gearshift

gearing

leverage

generalise

generalize

glamour

glamor

goitre

goiter

gonorrhoea

gonorrhea

goods train

freight train

greaseproof paper

wax paper/waxed paper

green fingers

green thumb

grey

gray

grill (noun)

broiler

grill (verb)

broil

ground floor

first floor

groundsman

groundskeeper

gruelling

grueling

gynaecology

gynecology

haematite

hematite

haematologist

hematologist

haemoglobin

hemoglobin

haemophilia

hemophilia

haemorrhage

hemorrhage

hairslide

barrette

handbag

purse

harbour

harbor

harmonise

harmonize

hatstand

hat rack

haulier

hauler

have a bath

take a bath

have got

have

headteacher

teacher

hen night

bachelorette party

hire purchase

installment plan

hireable

hirable

hoarding

billboard

hob

stovetop

holdall

carryall

holiday

vacation

holidaymaker

vacationer

homely

homey

honour

honor

honourable

honorable

hosepipe

(garden) hose

hospitalise

hospitalize

hot flush

hot flash

housing estate

housing development

How can I get to

How do I get to

humour

humor

hundreds and thousands

sprinkles (for ice cream)

hypnotise

hypnotize

hypothesise

hypothesize

I go by bus

I take the bus

ice lolly

Popsicle (trademark)

icing sugar

confectioners’ sugar

If I do sport

If I take P.E.

in hospital

in the hospital

index-linked fund

tracker fund

indicator (on a car)

turn signal

inside leg

inseam

jelly babies

jelly beans

jewellery

jewelry

Joe Bloggs

Joe Blow

Joe Public

John Q. Public

join the dots

connect the dots

jumble sale

rummage sale

jump lead

jumper cable

jumper

sweater

junior school

elementary school

kennel

doghouse

kerb

curb

labour

labor

ladybird

ladybug

lesson

subject / class

level crossing

grade crossing

library helper

library assistant

lift

elevator

lollipop lady (or man)

crossing guard

lolly

lollipop

loose cover

slipcover

lorry

truck

loudhailer

bullhorn

low loader

flatbed truck

lucky dip

grab bag

luggage van

baggage car

maize

corn

Managing Director

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

mangetout

snow pea

market garden

truck farm

marshalling yard

railroad yard

match

game

maths

math

Memorandum of Association

Certificate of Incorporation

merchant bank

investment bank

metalled road

paved road

milometer

odometer

minim (music)

half note

mobile phone

cell phone

monkey tricks

monkeyshines

motorbike

motorcycle

motorway

expressway; highway

moustache

mustache

Mr

Mr.

mum/mummy

mom/mommy

must

have to

nappy

diaper

naughty

misbehaved

needlecord

pinwale

net profit

net income

newsreader

newscaster

nightdress

nightgown

note or banknote

bill

noughts and crosses

tic-tac-toe

number plate

license plate

off-licence

liquor store; package store

opencast mining

open-pit mining

ordinary share

common stock

ordinary shares

common stock

oven glove

oven mitt

overheads

overhead

own shares

treasury stock

paddling pool

wading pool

paracetamol

acetaminophen

paralyse

paralyze

pardon

excuse me

parting (in hair)

part

patience

solitaire

pavement

sidewalk

pay packet

pay envelope

PE teacher

P.E. teacher

peas

corn

pedestrian crossing

crosswalk

peg

clothespin

pelmet

valance

petrol

gas; gasoline

photo

picture

physiotherapy

physical therapy

pinafore dress

jumper

plain chocolate

dark chocolate

plain flour

all-purpose flour

PLC

listed company

plough

plow

polo neck

turtleneck

positive discrimination

reverse discrimination

postal vote

absentee ballot

postbox

mailbox

postcode

zip code

potato crisp

potato chip

power point

electrical outlet

practise (v)

practice (v)

pram

baby carriage; stroller

preference shares

preferred stock

press stud

snap

press-up

pushup

private soldier

GI

profit and loss account

income statement

programme

program

public school

private school

public transport

public transportation

punchbag

punching bag

pushchair

stroller

pyjamas

pajamas

quantity surveyor

estimator

quarter to / past

a quarter to / past

quaver (music)

eighth note

queue

line

real tennis

court tennis

realise

realize

recognise

recognize

recorded delivery

certified mail

registration plate

license plate

remould (tyre)

retread

reverse the charges

call collect

reversing lights

back-up lights

right-angled triangle

right triangle

roundabout (at a fair)

carousel

roundabout (in road)

traffic circle

rowing boat

rowboat

rucksack

backpack

sandpit

sandbox

sandwich cake

layer cake

sanitary towel

sanitary napkin

sceptic

skeptic

school dinner

school lunch

school timetable

class schedule

self-raising flour

self-rising flour

semibreve (music)

whole note

semitone (music)

half step

shareholder

stockholder

shareholder’s equity

stockholder’s equity

shares

stocks

shop

store

shopping centre

shopping mall

shopping trolley

shopping cart

show house/home

model home

silverside

rump roast

skeleton in the cupboard

skeleton in the closet

skilful

skillful

skimmed milk

skim milk

skipping rope

jump rope

skirting board

baseboard

sledge

sled

slowcoach

slowpoke

snakes and ladders

chutes and ladders

social security

welfare

sofa

couch

solicitor

lawyer

soya/soya bean

soy/soybean

splashback

backsplash

sport

sports/P.E.

sports centre

recreation center

spotted

polka dot

spring onion

scallion

stag night

bachelor party

Stanley knife

utility knife

starter

appetizer

state school

public school

stock take

count of the inventory

stock

inventory

stomachache

stomach ache

storm in a teacup

tempest in a teapot

Sulphur

sulfur

summarise

summarize

sun hat

hat

surtitle

supertitle

swede

rutabaga

sweet

candy

sweet(s)

candy

takeaway (food)

takeout; to go

taxi rank

taxi stand

tea towel

dish towel

teddy

teddy bear

terrace house

row house

the spring clean

spring cleaning

theatre

theater

tick

check / checkmark

ticket tout

scalper

tidied up

organized

tidy

clean

timber

lumber

titbit

tidbit

toffee apple

candy apple or caramel apple

torch

flashlight

touch wood

knock on wood

trade union

labor union

trading estate

industrial park

trainers

sneakers

transport cafe

truck stop

transport

transportation

traveller’s cheque

traveler’s check

trolley

shopping cart

trousers

pants

true and fair view

fair presentation

twelve-bore

twelve-gauge

tyre tire

 

university

college

unjumble

unscramble

upper and lower case letters

capital and lower case letters

vacuum flask

thermos bottle

verge (of a road)

shoulder

vest

undershirt

veterinary surgeon

veterinarian

visible trade

merchandise trade

waggon

wagon

wagon (on a train)

car

waistcoat

vest

walking frame

walker

wardrobe

closet

water ice

Italian ice

weatherboard

clapboard

What’s the time?

What time is it?

white coffee

coffee with cream

white spirit

mineral spirits

wholemeal bread

wholewheat bread

windcheater

windbreaker

windscreen

windshield

wing (of a car)

fender

wood

woods

worktop

countertop

yellow hair

blonde hair

zebra crossing

crosswalk

zed (letter Z)

zee

zip

zipper

 

Words Listed By Category

CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

boiler suit

coveralls

boob tube

tube top

braces

suspenders

bumbag

fanny pack

clothes shop

department store

consumer durables

durable goods

dressing gown

robe / bathrobe

inside leg

inseam

jewellery

jewelry

jumper

sweater

nightdress

nightgown

pinafore dress

jumper

polo neck

turtleneck

press stud

snap

press-up

pushup

pyjamas

pajamas

rucksack

backpack

sun hat

hat

trainers

sneakers

trousers

pants

vest

undershirt

waistcoat

vest

windcheater

windbreaker

zip

zipper

 

CONCEPTS

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

anticlockwise

counterclock-wise

autumn

fall

blanket bath

sponge bath

cot death

crib death

earth (electric-al)

ground

positive discrimination

reverse discrimination

postal vote

absentee ballot

programme

program

quarter to / past

a quarter to / past

queue

line

right-angled triangle

right triangle

titbit

tidbit

 

EXPRESSIONS

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

at the weekend

on the weekend

have a bath

take a bath

How can I get to

How do I get to

I go by bus

I take the bus

in hospital

in the hospital

join the dots

connect the dots

pardon

excuse me

skeleton in the cupboard

skeleton in the closet

slowcoach

slowpoke

splashback

backsplash

stomachache

stomach ache

storm in a teacup

tempest in a teapot

surtitle

supertitle

tick

check/checkmark

touch wood

knock on wood

unjumble

unscramble

upper and lower case letters

capital and lower case letters

What’s the time?

What time is it?

zed (letter Z)

zee

 

GAMES & TOYS

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

draughts (game)

checkers

draw

tie

hot flush

hot flash

match

game

monkey tricks

monkeyshines

noughts and crosses

tic-tac-toe

paddling pool

wading pool

patience

solitaire

skipping rope

jump rope

snakes and ladders

chutes and ladders

teddy

teddy bear

 

FOOD & COOKING

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

a lettuce

a head of lettuce

aniseed

anise

aubergine

eggplant

baking tray

cookie sheet

beetroot

beet(s)

biscuit

cookie; cracker

brawn (the food)

headcheese

candyfloss

cotton candy

cereals

cereal

chips

French fries

chips

fries

cling film

plastic wrap

cooker

stove

cornflour

cornstarch

cos (lettuce)

Romaine

courgette

zucchini

crisps

chips; potato chips

double cream

heavy cream

fish finger

fish stick

fruit (pl.)

fruits

greaseproof paper

wax paper/waxed paper

grill (noun)

broiler

grill (verb)

broil

hob

stovetop

hundreds and thousands

sprinkles (for ice cream)

ice lolly

Popsicle (trademark)

icing sugar

confectioners’ sugar

jelly babies

jelly beans

lolly

lollipop

maize

corn

mangetout

snow pea

oven glove

oven mitt

peas

corn

plain chocolate

dark chocolate

plain flour

all-purpose flour

potato crisp

potato chip

sandwich cake

layer cake

self-raising flour

self-rising flour

silverside

rump roast

skimmed milk

skim milk

soya/soya bean

soy/soybean

spring onion

scallion

starter

appetizer

swede

rutabaga

sweet

candy

sweet(s)

candy

takeaway (food)

takeout; to go

toffee apple

candy apple or caramel apple

water ice

Italian ice

white coffee

coffee with cream

white spirit

mineral spirits

wholemeal bread

whole wheat bread

 

 

HOUSING and IN THE HOME

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

block of flats

apartment building

council estate

(housing) project

first floor

second floor

flat

apartment

flat

apartment

garden

yard

ground floor

first floor

hosepipe

(garden) hose

housing estate

housing development

kennel

doghouse

lift

elevator

pelmet

valance

power point

electrical outlet

show house/home

model home

skirting board

baseboard

terrace house

row house

weatherboard

clapboard

worktop

countertop

 

JOBS

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

a person who looks after your teeth

a person who cleans your teeth

agony aunt

advice columnist

bank holiday

legal holiday

estate agent

real estate agent, realtor (trademark)

flexitime

flextime

groundsman

groundskeeper

headteacher

teacher

library helper

library assistant

newsreader

newscaster

opencast mining

open-pit mining

PE teacher

P.E. teacher

physiotherapy

physical therapy

private soldier

GI

quantity surveyor

estimator

solicitor

lawyer

ticket tout

scalper

trade union

labor union

veterinary surgeon

veterinarian

 

FURNITURE

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

cot

crib

cupboard

cabinet

drinks cupboard

liquor cabinet

sofa

couch

wardrobe

closet

 

 

FINANCE

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

Annual General Meeting

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Articles of Association

Bylaws

balance sheet

statement of financial position/ balance sheet

base rate

prime rate

black economy

underground economy

bridging loan

bridge loan

building society

savings and loans association

cash dispenser

ATM (Automated Teller Machine)

chairman

president

cheque

check

convertible share

convertible bond

corporation tax

income tax

cost centre

cost center

creditors

accounts payable

current account

checking account

danger money

hazard pay

debtors

accounts receivable

depreciation

depreciation / amortization

extraordinary general meeting (EGM)

special meeting

financial year

fiscal year

fixed assets

property plant and equipment

flotation

initial public offering (IPO)

gearing

leverage

hire purchase

installment plan

index-linked fund

tracker fund

labour

labor

Managing Director

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Memorandum of Association

Certificate of Incorporation

merchant bank

investment bank

net profit

net income

note or banknote

bill

ordinary share

common stock

ordinary shares

common stock

overheads

overhead

own shares

treasury stock

petrol

gasoline

PLC

listed company

preference shares

preferred stock

profit and loss account

income statement

shareholder

stockholder

shareholder’s equity

stockholder’s equity

shares

stocks

shopping centre

shopping mall

social security

welfare

stock take

count of the inventory

stock

inventory

traveller’s cheque

traveler’s check

true and fair view

fair presentation

visible trade

merchandise trade

 

MUSIC

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

Semibreve

(music)

whole note

semitone 

(music)

half step

crotchet (music)

quarter note

quaver 

(music)

eighth note

minim 

(music)

half note

 

 

OBJECTS, MATERIALS & THINGS

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

aluminium

aluminum

bin

trash can

bottom drawer

hope chest

breeze block

cinder block

catapult

slingshot

common seal

harbor seal

cotton bud

cotton swab

cotton wool

absorbent cotton

court card

face card

crocodile clip

alligator clip

cross-ply

bias-ply

diamante

rhinestone

drawing pin

thumbtack

dummy (for a baby)

pacifier

dust sheet

drop cloth

dustbin

garbage can

film

movie

fitted carpet

wall-to-wall carpeting

flannel

washcloth

flick knife

switchblade

hairslide

barrette

handbag

purse

hat stand

hat rack

hoarding

billboard

holdall

carryall

loose cover

slipcover

loudhailer

bullhorn

lucky dip

grab bag

mobile phone

cell phone

moustache

mustache

nappy

diaper

needlecord

pinwale

paracetamol

acetaminophen

pay packet

pay envelope

peg

clothespin

photo

picture

postbox

mailbox

pram

baby carriage; stroller

pushchair

stroller

roundabout 

(at a fair)

carousel

sandpit

sandbox

sanitary towel

sanitary napkin

shopping trolley

shopping cart

Sulphur

sulfur

tea towel

dish towel

timber

lumber

torch

flashlight

vacuum flask

thermos bottle

walking frame

walker

 

DESCRIPTIVE WORDS & ADJECTIVES

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

clever

smart

fringe (hair)

bangs

green fingers

green thumb

homely

homey

naughty

misbehaved

parting (in hair)

part

sceptic

skeptic

skilful

skillful

spotted

polka dot

tidied up

organized

tidy

clean

twelve-bore