Here are some of the main differences in vocabulary between British and American English. This page is intended as a guide only. Bear in mind that there can be differences in the choice of specific terms depending on dialect and region within both the USA and the UK.
British English | American English |
anti-clockwise | counter-clockwise |
articulated lorry | trailer truck |
autumn | autumn, fall |
barrister | attorney |
basin | sink |
bill (restaurant) | bill, check |
biscuit | Cookie |
block of flats | apartment building |
bonnet (clothing) | Hat |
bonnet (car) | Hood |
Boot (car) | Trunk (car) |
bumper (car) | bumper, fender |
caravan | Trailer |
car park | parking lot |
chemist's shop | drugstore, pharmacy |
chest of drawers | dresser, chest of drawers, bureau |
chips | fries, French fries |
the cinema | the movies |
clothes peg | clothespin |
coffin | coffin, casket |
cooker | Stove |
crisps | potato chips |
crossroads | intersection; crossroads (rural) |
cupboard | cupboard (in kitchen); closet (for clothes etc) |
diversion | Detour |
drawing-pin | thumbtack |
Dressing gown | Bathrobe |
drink-driving | drunk driving |
driving licence | driver's license |
dual carriageway | divided highway |
dummy (for baby) | Pacifier |
dustbin | garbage can, trash can |
dustman | garbage collector |
engine | engine, motor |
estate agent | real estate agent |
estate car | station wagon |
film | film, movie |
flat | apartment, flat, studio |
flat tyre | flat tire |
flyover | overpass |
football | Soccer |
gearbox (car) | transmission |
gear-lever | gearshift |
Girl Guide | Girl Scout |
ground floor | ground/first floor |
handbag | handbag, purse, shoulder bag |
hight street | main street |
holiday | vacation |
hood (car) | convertible top |
jam | jam, preserves |
jug | jug, pitcher |
juggernaut | 18-wheeler |
lift | elevator |
Lorry, van | truck, semi, tractor |
Mad | crazy, insane |
main road | highway |
Maize | Corn |
Maths | Math |
Motorbike | motorcycle |
Motorway | freeway, expressway |
Motorway | highway, freeway, expressway, interstate highway, interstate |
Nappy | Diaper |
naughts and crosses | tic-tack-toe |
pants, underpants | underpants, drawers |
Pavement | sidewalk |
pet hate | pet peeve |
Petrol | gas, gasoline |
The Plough | Big Dipper |
pocket money | allowance |
Post | Mail |
Postbox | mailbox |
Postcode | zip code |
Postman | mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier |
Pub | Bar |
public toilet, WC | rest room, public bathroom |
Railway | railroad |
return (ticket) | round-trip |
reverse charge | collect call |
ring road | beltway, freeway/highway loop |
Rise (salary) | Raise (salary) |
road surface | pavement, blacktop |
roundabout | traffic circle, roundabout |
rubber | Eraser |
rubbish | garbage, trash |
rubbish-bin | garbage can, trashcan |
saloon (car) | Sedan |
shop | shop, store |
silencer (car) | Muffler |
single (ticket) | one-way |
Sitting room | Living room |
solicitor | lawyer, attorney |
spanner | Wrench |
sweets | Candy |
taxi | taxi, taxi cab |
tea towel | dish towel |
telly (informal), TV | television, TV |
third-party insurance | liability insurance |
timetable | Schedule |
tin | Can |
toll motorway | toll road, turnpike |
torch | Flashlight |
trousers | pants, trousers |
tube (train) | Subway |
underground (train) | Subway |
vest | Undershirt |
waistcoat | Vest |
wallet | wallet, billfold |
wellington boots | rubber boots, rain boots |
whisky | whiskey, scotch |
windscreen | Windshield |
Zip | Zipper |