Canadian English

​As Canada gained its independence from Britain just over 150 years ago, some British English influence in the spelling of Canadian English remains. In addition, sharing a border and having close ties with the US in terms of trade, business, and exposure to American media outlets, TV, radio and magazines, Canadian English has also been influenced by the US. Canadian English thus features major elements of both British English and American English, yet there are still a few characteristics that are uniquely Canadian. 

Here are some of the most prominent examples of Canadian spelling—A combination of British and American styles.

• Realize and paralyze are usually spelled with -ize or -yze rather than -ise or -yse.
• French-derived words often keep the British spelling (colour and centre), which in American English are spelled color and center.
• Canadians spell defence and offence like the British, while the United States uses the Anglo-French spelling defense and offense (noun) but, defensive and offensive are universal.
• Practice and licence (nouns) become practise and license (verbs) as in British English, but advice and advise are universal.
• Canadian and British use travelled, counselling, and marvellous as opposed to the American traveled, counseling, and marvelous, but both Canadian and British English use balloted and profiting.
• Canadians, like Americans use curb and tire, while in British English they are spelled kerb and tyre. 

​Dictionaries of Canadian English

If you live in Canada or are planning to move to Canada, consider using one of the following dictionaries to get you started.

A Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles

As an historical dictionary, this work shows changes in the meanings of words over time, using dated quotations to illustrate these shifts. Thus, DCHP-2 includes words that have become outdated or obsolete and lists for the sake of historical completeness words and meanings that are considered offensive or derogatory today. These words, however, are clearly marked. 

Dictionary of Canadianisms

More than one long joke about "Oot and aboot," this book details how those in Canada speak more than just English or French. We have a vocabulary--and a number of dialects--all our own. So, sit on the chesterfield with a box of timbits and read this tongue-in-cheek take on Canada's unofficial language.

Gage Canadian Dictionary

With over 140,000 entries and definitions, as well as International Phonetic Alphabet pronunciation key, homonyms and synonyms. In addition, the dictionary contains lots of photos and illustrations.

Oxford Canadian Dictionary

With 200,000 words, phrases, and definitions, it features over 1,800 uniquely Canadian words and senses. Definitions, worded for ease of comprehension, are presented so that the meaning most familiar to Canadians appears first. 

The Canadian Dictionary of ASL

​Developed in conjunction with the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf, this comprehensive new dictionary of American Sign Language (ASL) has over 8700 signs, many unique to Canada.

Some Popular Canadian English Terms

• Bank machine: Automated teller machine (ATM)
• Bachelor: A single room apartment with a bathroom, bachelor apartment
• Chesterfield: A sofa or couch
• Double-double: A cup of coffee with two creams and two sugars
• “Eh:” Used at the end of a phrase to ascertain comprehension, continued interest, or agreement. Can also be used instead of "What?" or "Huh?" when you mean "Please say again."
• Homo milk: Homogenized milk, full fat milk usually 3.25%. American English = Whole milk
• Humidex: Meteorologists use as a measure to reflect the combined effect of humidity and heat
• Hydro: Used as a synonym for electrical service
• Loonie: Canadian one-dollar coin. Because of the icon of a loom on the reverse side of the coin
• Lumber jacket: A light jacket made with thick flannel, either red and black or green and black
• Newfie: A colloquial, often derogatory term used to describe one who is from Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Parkade: A parking garage
• Pencil crayon: Common term used for coloured pencil.
• Pop: Common term for soft drinks or soda pop
• Runners: Running shoes, sneakers
• Ski-Doo: A brand name now used generically to refer to any snowmobile
• Timbits: Doughnut holes made by Tim Hortons that has become a generic term
• Toonie: Canadian two dollar coin. Modelled after loonie 
• Touque: A knitted winter hat, also spelled toque, tuque
• Two-four: A case of twenty-four beers
• May two-four Weekend: The "two-four" refers to Victoria Day long weekend in May
• Washroom: Public bathroom

Further Information on Canadian English

For more information and articles on Canadian English, click on the links below.

A Delightful Dictionary for Canadian English—The New Yorker

Canadian English—Oxford Dictionaries

Canadian English—Wikipedia

The Canadian Encyclopedia

The Development of Canadian English Through Settlement

The Pronunciation of Canadian English

​Your Favourite Canadian English Words—Macmillan Dictionary