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!

---

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