Sixty American English Words and their British English Counterparts
Although the Spellzone course was written in the UK, it covers both British English and American English spellings. The different spellings of a words are highlighted throughout the course, and you can choose whether you would prefer to take a British English or an American English version of a test. Click here to read an overview of the main differences between American English and British English spellings, and here for more detailed information.
It’s not just spellings you need to watch out for though! Some words have different meanings depending on whether they are used in an American English or a British English context. The word ‘pants’ in American English, for example, refers to an item of clothing which is used to cover the legs (i.e. trousers), whereas in British English the word refers to underwear. Today we’re going to look at some American English words, and their British English counterparts. Scroll down to read more!
| |
British English
|
American English
|
| |
|
|
| 1. |
flat
|
apartment
|
| 2. |
appetizer
|
starter
|
| 3. |
fringe
|
bangs
|
| 4. |
hairslide
|
barrette
|
| 5. |
grill
|
broil
|
| 6. |
grill
|
broiler
|
| 7. |
sweet(s)
|
candy
|
| 8. |
mobile phone
|
cell phone
|
| 9. |
crisps
|
chips
|
| 10. |
snakes and ladders
|
chutes and ladders
|
| 11. |
wardrobe
|
closet
|
| 12. |
biscuit
|
cookie, cracker
|
| 13. |
candyfloss
|
cotton candy
|
| 14. |
anticlockwise
|
counter clockwise
|
| 15. |
cot
|
crib
|
| 16. |
nappy
|
diaper
|
| 17. |
chemist
|
drugstore
|
| 18. |
aubergine
|
eggplant
|
| 19. |
junior school, primary school
|
elementary school
|
| 20. |
lift
|
elevator
|
| 21. |
motorway
|
expressway, highway |
| 22. |
chips
|
French fries
|
| 23. |
dustbin
|
garbage can
|
| 24. |
petrol
|
gas, gasoline
|
| 25. |
bonnet
|
hood (of a car)
|
| 26. |
skipping rope
|
jump rope
|
| 27. |
number plate
|
license plate
|
| 28. |
off-licence
|
liquor store
|
| 29. |
postbox
|
mailbox
|
| 30. |
oven glove
|
oven mitt
|
| 31. |
dummy
|
pacifier |
| 32. |
trousers
|
pants
|
| 33. |
tights
|
pantyhose
|
| 34. |
car park
|
parking lot
|
| 35. |
parting
|
part (in hair)
|
| 36. |
full stop
|
period (punctuation)
|
| 37. |
public school
|
private school
|
| 38. |
state school
|
public school
|
| 39. |
dressing gown
|
robe, bathrobe
|
| 40. |
shopping trolley
|
shopping cart
|
| 41. |
pavement
|
sidewalk |
| 42. |
sledge
|
sled
|
| 43. |
trainers
|
sneakers
|
| 44. |
football
|
soccer
|
| 45. |
hundreds and thousands
|
sprinkles (for ice cream)
|
| 46. |
pushchair
|
stroller
|
| 47. |
underground
|
subway
|
| 48. |
braces
|
suspenders
|
| 49. |
jumper
|
sweater
|
| 50. |
takeaway
|
takeout (food)
|
| 51. |
drawing pin
|
thumbtack |
| 52. |
noughts and crosses
|
tic-tac-toe
|
| 53. |
boot
|
trunk (of a car)
|
| 54. |
indicator
|
turn signal (on a car)
|
| 55. |
vest
|
undershirt
|
| 56. |
holiday
|
vacation
|
| 57. |
waistcoat
|
vest
|
| 58. |
flannel
|
washcloth
|
| 59. |
postcode
|
zip code
|
| 60. |
courgette
|
zucchini
|
Can you think of any other British English words that have a different meaning in America? Or any American English words that have a different meaning in Britain? Tweet them to us or leave a comment below, and we’ll include them in our next list!
If you found this article useful, why not check out our other blog posts on the American English language?
Have a great week!
Avani Shah
25 Nov 2014
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