While the differences aren't huge, small mistakes or misunderstandings can still sometimes occur when using British English in the USA or vice versa.
American vs. British English
Don’t Mix British and American English: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid mixing British and American English. It's easy to do, as the differences are usually smaller than you might initially think.
To help you avoid this, we'll show you some key differences! American English (AE) and British English (BE) often differ in vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, and, less frequently, grammar.
| AE | BE |
| vacation | holiday |
| chips | crisps |
| fries | chips |
| soccer | football |
| lift | elevator |
| check | bill |
| garbage | rubbish |
| stove | cooker |
| movie | film |
| apartment | flat |
| rent | hire |
| match | game |
| mom | mum |
| bill | note |
| subway | underground |
The Spelling
- While American words end in "-or" , British words usually end in "-our".
Examples :
color (AE) | colour (BE)
flavour (AE) | flavour (BE)
neighbor (AE) | neighbour (BE)
- While American words end in "-er" , British words usually end in "-re".
Examples :
theater (AE) | theatre (BE)
meter (AE) | metre (BE)
center (AE) | centre (BE)
- While American words end in "-ize" , British words usually end in "-ise".
Examples :
apologize (AE) | apologize (BE)
organize (AE) | organise (BE)
realize (AE) | realise (BE)
- In American English, words often have only one consonant, while in British English they have two.
Examples :
traveled (AE) | travelled (BE)
jewelery (AE) | jewellery (BE)
candeled (AE) | cancelled (BE)
- Other spelling variations:
cozy (AE) | cosy (BE)
catalog (AE) | catalogue (BE)
The Pronunciation
Americans pronounce all "r" sounds clearly, while the British often only pronounce the "r" as the first sound in a word. If the "r" is in the middle of a word, it is usually barely audible; the emphasis is more on the vowel (far sounds like "fa").
In American English, the letter "t" sounds more like a "d" (better sounds like "bedder"). In British English, the "t" is clearly audible.
In some words, such as dance or can't , the "a" is pronounced like an "ä" in American English, but more like a long "a" in British English.
There are many differences in pronunciation. To examine these more closely, it's helpful to listen. For example, watch an American film and then a British film; you'll quickly notice the differences in pronunciation.
Grammar
In some cases, there are differences in the prepositions:
• In American English, for example, people say "on the weekend", while in British English, "at" is almost always used when referring to a time period, i.e., "at the weekend".
• In American English, "write" always stands alone, while in British English one also says "write to," as in "I promised to write to her a letter."
The past participle of "to get" differs:
• AE: get | got | gotten
• BE: get | got | got
Collective nouns (such as "team") can be plural in British English when referring to individual members. In American English, they must be singular:
• AE: The team is good.
• BE: The team are good.
Want to learn a British or American dialect? On a language course abroad, you'll learn to speak like a native! Discover language courses with Sprachcaffe in the USA or England now »
Vocabulary list: British and American English
We've compiled a comprehensive vocabulary list of British and American English for you. It's sorted alphabetically, so you can quickly find the word you're looking for. If you happen to be missing a word or two, feel free to let us know and we'll add it. We hope you enjoy comparing and learning English !
British vs. American English from A to E
| A | |
| accelerator | gas pedal, accelerator |
| aerial (TV, radio) | antenna, aerial |
| American Indian | Native American |
| anorak | jacket, parka |
| at the weekend | on the weekend |
| aubergine | eggplant |
| B | |
| Bank Holiday | national holiday |
| barrister | attorney |
| to bath | to bathe |
| bill | check |
| am | garbage can, trash can |
| biro | ball-point pen |
| biscuit | cookie |
| boat | trunk |
| brace | suspenders |
| C | |
| candy floss | cotton candy |
| caravan | trailer |
| caretaker | facility manager |
| catalogue | catalog |
| center | center |
| chemist | drugstore, pharmacy |
| chips | French fries |
| city centre | downtown, city center |
| colour | color |
| cooker | stove |
| cozy | cozy |
| cot | crib |
| courgette | zucchini |
| crisps | potato chips |
| D | |
| dinner jacket | tux, tuxedo |
| diversion | detour |
| double cream | heavy cream |
| draught | draft |
| drawing pin | thumbtack |
| driving licence | driver's license |
| dummy | pacifier |
| duvet | comforter |
| E | |
| engaged | busy |
| enquiry | inquiry |
| expiry date | expiration date |
British vs. American English from E to L
| F | |
| fancy dress | costumes |
| Father Christmas | Santa Claus |
| favourite | favorite |
| to fill in | to fill out |
| film | movie |
| fire brigade | fire department |
| fish fingers | fish sticks |
| flannel | washcloth |
| flat | apartment |
| flavour | flavor |
| football | soccer |
| fortnight | two weeks |
| G | |
| garden | yard |
| gents | men's room |
| goods train | freight train |
| H | |
| harbour | harbor |
| headteacher | Principality |
| hire | rent |
| hire purchase | installation plan |
| hockey | field hockey |
| holiday | vacation |
| hoover | vacuum (cleaner) |
| humor | humor |
| I | |
| icing sugar | powdered sugar |
| indicator | blinker, turn signal |
| inverted commas | quotation marks |
| J | |
| jacket potato | baked potato |
| jewellery | jewelry |
| Joe Bloggs | Joe Blow |
| jumble sale | yard sale |
| jumper | sweater |
| K | |
| kilometers | kilometers |
| L | |
| ladybird | ladybug |
| letterbox, postbox | mailbox |
| lift | elevator |
| litre | liter |
| lorry | truck |
| lost property | lost and found |
British vs. American English from M to R
| M | |
| Mackintosh | raincoat |
| managing director | CEO (chief executive officer) |
| mashed potato | mashed potatoes |
| match | game |
| maths | math |
| mobile | cellphone |
| Motorbike | motorcycle |
| motorway | highway, autobahn |
| mum | mom |
| N | |
| nappy | diaper |
| Neighbour | neighbor |
| note | bill |
| notice board | bulletin board |
| license plate | license plate |
| P | |
| pants | underpants |
| paraffin | kerosene |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| pedestrian crossing | crosswalk |
| pepper | bell pepper |
| petrol | gas |
| phone box | phone booth |
| plan | airplane |
| polo neck | turtleneck |
| post | |
| post code | zip code |
| postman | mailman |
| pram, pushchair | baby buggy, stroller |
| prawn | shrimp |
| primary school | elementary school |
| program | program |
| Q | |
| queue | to line up |
| quid | buck |
| R | |
| railway | railroad |
| reception | front desk |
| ring | call |
| roadway | pavement |
| backpack | backpack |
| rubber | eraser |
| rubbish | garbage |
British vs. American English from S to Z
| S | |
| share | stock |
| shop | store |
| shop assistant | sales clerk |
| sick | nauseated |
| single ticket | one-way ticket |
| solicitor | attorney |
| sports day | field day |
| stock | inventory |
| subway | underpass |
| sultana | raisin |
| sweet shop | candy store |
| T | |
| tap | faucet |
| taxi | cab |
| term | semester |
| theatre | theater |
| timetable | schedule |
| tin | can |
| toilet, loo | bathroom, restroom |
| town centre | downtown, city center |
| torch | flashlight |
| trainers | sneakers |
| tram | streetcar |
| trolley | cart |
| trousers | pants |
| tyre | tire |
| U | |
| underground, tube | subway |
| underlay | carpet pad |
| W | |
| waistcoat | vest |
| wallet | billfold |
| wardrobe | closet |
| wash | wash up |
| Z | |
| Zebra Crossing | crosswalk |
| zip | zipper |
Related news
Get the latest on travel, languages and culture