VOCABULARY

When it comes to the differences in British English and American English spellings even
brits get caught out occasionally. The main difference is that British English keeps the
spelling of words it has absorbed from other languages, mainly French and German.
American English spellings are based mostly on how the word sounds when spoken.

English was introduced to what is modern-day America in the 17th century by British
settlers. Since then the language has evolved and has been influenced by the many waves
of immigration to the USA.

The spelling of British English words was cemented by Samuel Johnson in what is
considered to be one of the most famous dictionaries in the world. It took Johnson, and
six helpers, just over eight years to curate the 40,000 words that appeared in ‘A Dictionary
of the English Language’, which was published in 1755.

Similarly, America’s ‘A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language’ was first

printed in 1806 and popularized the American English spellings that were being used
instead of the British English spellings of words, such as color instead of colour.

The author was Noah Webster who followed up the original dictionary in 1828 with his
‘An American Dictionary of the English Language’ which had over 70,000 words.

American English tends to be simpler, more street, and more relaxed, as they tend to
substitute some letters. Whereas British English is more elegant, refined, and ancient in
its usage. It also has great differences within the UK itself, i.e. it will not be spoken in the
same way in London as it is in the South, and so on.

Now let's look at these differences between British and American English:

• British English words ending in ‘our’ usually end in ‘or’ in American English.

BRITISH US
colour color
flavour flavor
humour humor
labour labor
neighbor neighbor
• Verbs in British English that can be spelled with either ‘ize’ or ‘ise’ at the end are
always spelled with ‘ize’ at the end in American English.

BRITISH US
apologize or apologise Apologize
organize or organise Organize
recognize or recognise Recognize

• Verbs in British English that end in ‘yse’ are always spelled ‘yze’ in American
English.

BRITISH US
analyse analyze
breathalyse breathalyze
paralyse paralyze

• In British spelling ‘L’ is doubled in verbs ending in a vowel plus ‘L’. In American
English, the ‘L’ is not doubled.

BRITISH US
travel travel
travelled traveled
travelling traveling
traveller traveler

• British English words that are spelled with the double vowels ae or oe tend to be
just spelled with an e in American English: Although there are exceptions to the
rule. For example, archaeology is spelled in the same way as British English but
archeology would be acceptable in America but is incorrect in the UK.

BRITISH US
leukaemia leukemia
manoeuvre maneuver
 oestrogen estrogen
paediatric pediatric

• Some nouns that end with ‘ence’ in British English are spelled ‘ense in American
English’.

BRITISH US
defence defense
licence license
offence offense
pretence pretense

• Some nouns that end with ‘ogue’ in British English end with either ‘og’ or ‘ogue
in American English.

BRITISH US
analogue analog or analogue
catalogue catalog or catalogue
dialogue dialog or dialogue

List of words, by category, that differ between British and American English.

1. Different words in British and American English about food.

British Phonetic form American Phonetic form
Aubergine ˈəʊ.bə.ʒiːn Eggplant ˈeɡ.plænt
Appetiser ˈæp.ɪ.taɪ.zər Appetizer ˈæp.ɪ.taɪ. zɚ
Courgette kɔːˈʒet Zucchini zuːkiː.ni
Biscuit ˈbɪskɪt Cookie ˈkʊki
Chips tʃɪps Fries fraɪz
Crisp krɪsp Chips / Potato tʃɪps/pəˈteɪtoʊ tʃɪps
chips
Candy Floss ˈkændi flɒs Cotton Candy ˈkɑːtn ˈkændi
Caster sugar ˈkɑː.stər ˈʃʊɡə(r) Extra fine sugar ˈekstrə faɪn ˈʃʊɡər
 Gherkin ˈɡɜː.kɪn Pickle ˈpɪk.l̩
Coriander ˌkɒr.iˈæn.dər Cilantro
Fillet ˈfɪl.ɪt Filet fɪˈleɪ
Grill ɡrɪl Broiler ˈbrɔɪ.lɚ
Jug dʒʌɡ Pitcher ˈpɪtʃ.ɚ
Sweets swiːt Candy ˈkændi
Jelly ˈdʒeli Gelatin / Jello ˈdʒel.ə.tiːn/ˈdʒel·oʊ
Sponge Cake spʌndʒ keɪk Lady Finger ˈleɪdi ˈfɪŋɡər
Serviette ˌsɜː.viˈet Napkin ˈnæp.kɪn
Stove stəʊv Cooker ˈkʊkər
Beetroot ˈbiːt.ruːt Beet biːt
Spirits ˈspɪr.ɪt Liquors ˈlɪkəz

2. Different British and American English words for vehicles.

British Phonetic form American Phonetic form

Bonnet ˈbɒn.ɪt Hood hʊd

Car kɑː(r) Automobile ˈɑː.t̬ ə.moʊ.biːl
Bumper ˈbʌm.pər Fender ˈfen.dɚ
Cab kæb Taxi ˈtæksi
Car park kɑː(r) pɑːk Parking Lot ˈpɑːr.kɪŋ lɑːt
Indicators ˈɪn.dɪ.keɪ.tər Blinkers ˈblɪŋ.kɚ
Manual ˈmæn.ju.əl Standard ˈstændərd
Motor Bike ˈməʊtə(r) baɪk Motorcycle ˈmoʊtərsaɪkl
Motor home ˈməʊtə(r) həʊm Recreational ˌrek.riˈeɪ. əl
vehicle ˈviːəkl
Railway ˈreɪlweɪ Railroad ˈreɪlroʊd
Petrol ˈpetrəl Gas / Gasoline ɡæs/ˈɡæsəliːn
Reversing lights rɪˈvɜːs laɪt Backup lights ˈbæk.ʌp laɪt
Underground, ˌʌndəˈɡraʊnd Subway ˈsʌb.weɪ
tube tjuːb
Silencer ˈsaɪ.lən.sər Muffler ˈmʌf.lɚ
Tyre ˈtaɪə(r) Tire ˈtaɪər
Truck trʌk Lorry ˈlɔːri
 Windscreen ˈwɪnd.skriːn Windshield ˈwɪnd.ʃiːld
Bus station bʌs ˈsteɪʃn Terminal ˈtɝː.mɪ.nəl
Traffic lights ˈtræfɪk laɪt Traffic signals ˈtræfɪk ˈsɪɡ.nəl
Tram træm Streetcar/ trolley ˈstriːt.kɑːr/ˈtrɑː.li
car kɑːr

3. Different British and American English words for housing.

British Phonetic form American Phonetic form
Block of flats blɒk əv flæt Apartment əˈpɑːrtmənt
Building
ˈbɪldɪŋ
Flat flæt Apartament
Couch/Settee kaʊtʃ/setˈiː Sofa ˈsoʊ.fə
Wardrobe ˈwɔː.drəʊb Closet ˈklɑːzət
Cooker ˈkʊkə(r) Stove stoʊv
Curtains ˈkɜː.tən Drapes dreɪp
Caretaker ˈkeəˌteɪ.kər Janitor ˈdʒæn.ɪ.t̬ ɚ
Post code pəʊst kəʊd Zip code zɪp koʊd
Homely ˈhəʊm.li Homey ˈhoʊ.mi
Fridge frɪdʒ Refrigerator rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtər
Lift lɪft Elevator ˈelɪveɪtər
Rubbish ˈrʌbɪʃ Garbage ˈɡɑːrbɪdʒ
Rubbish bin ˈrʌbɪʃ bɪn Trash/Garbage træʃ ˈɡɑːrbɪdʒ
can
kən
Tap tæp Faucet ˈfɔːsɪt
Torch tɔːtʃ Flashlight ˈflæʃ.laɪt
Larder ˈlɑː.dər Pantry ˈpæn.tri
Wardobe ˈwɔː.drəʊb Closet ˈklɑːzət
Duvet ˈduː.veɪ Comforter ˈkʌm.fə.t̬ ɚ
Lodger ˈlɒdʒ.ər Room mate ruːm meɪt
Hand basin Hænd ˈbeɪ.sən Sink sɪŋk
4. Different British and American English words for places.
British Phonetic form American Phonetic form
Alley ˈæl.i Alleyway ˈæl.i.weɪ
Zebra crossing ˈzeb.rə ˈkrɒs.ɪŋ Pedestrian crossing pəˈdes.tri.ən
ˈkrɑː.sɪŋ
City centre ˈsɪti ˈsentə(r) Downtown ˌdaʊnˈtaʊn
Chemist’s ˈkem.ɪst Pharmacy/Drugstore ˈfɑːr.mə.si
Creche kreʃ Day-care center deɪ-ker ˈsen.t̬ ɚ
Laundrette Laundromat ˈlɑːn.droʊ
Motorway ˈməʊ.tə.weɪ Highway ˈhaɪweɪ
Pavement ˈpeɪv.mənt Sidewalk ˈsaɪd.wɑːk
Petrol station ˈpetrəl ˈsteɪʃn Gas station ɡæs ˈsteɪʃn
Shopping centre ˈʃɒpɪŋ ˈsentə(r) Shopping center ˈʃɑːpɪŋ ˈsen.t̬ ɚ
Shop ʃɒp Store stɔːr
Toilet ˈtɔɪlət Restroom
Theatre ˈθɪətə(r) Theater ˈθiː.ə.t̬ ɚ
Taxi rank ˈtæksi ræŋk Taxi stand ˈtæksi stænd
Flyover ˈflaɪˌəʊ.vər Overpass ˈoʊ.vɚ.pæs
Cul de sac cuːl diː sæk Dead end Ded end
Phone box fəʊn bɒks Telephone booth ˈtelɪfoʊn buːθ
College ˈkɒlɪdʒ University ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəti
Movies ˈmuː.vi Cinema ˈsɪnəmə
Supermarket ˈsuːpəmɑːkɪt Grocery Store ˈɡroʊsəri stɔːr

5. Different British and American English words for clothing and accessories.
British Phonetic form American Phonetic form
Anchor/Support ˈæŋ.kər səˈpɔːt Brassiere brəˈzɪr
Tights taɪts Pantyhose ˈpæn.t̬ i.hoʊz

Bum bag bʌm bæɡ Fanny pack ˈfæn.i pæk

Bathing costume ˈbeɪ.ðɪŋ ˈkɒs.tjuːm Bathing suit ˈbeɪ.ðɪŋ sjuːt

Braces breɪs Suspenders səˈspen.dɚ

 Dungarees ˌdʌŋ.ɡəˈriːz Overalls ˈoʊ.vɚ.ɑːlz
Handbag ˈhænd.bæɡ Purse pɝːs
Hair clip / Hair heə(r) klɪp/heə(r) Bobby pin ˈbɑː.bi
slide
slaɪd
Jumper/Pullover ˈdʒʌm.pər/ˈpʊlˌəʊ.vər Sweater pɪn

Luggage ˈlʌɡɪdʒ Baggage ˈbæɡɪdʒ

Plait plæt Braid breɪd

Pyjamas pɪˈdʒɑː.məz Pajamas pɪˈdʒæm.əz
Trainers ˈtreɪ.nər Sneakers ˈsniː. kɚ
Trousers ˈtraʊzəz Pants pænts
Waistcoat ˈweɪs.kəʊt Vest vest
Zip zɪp Zipper ˈzɪp.ɚ
Wallet ˈwɒlɪt Billfold ˈbɪl.foʊld
Nightdress ˈnaɪt.dres Nightgown ˈnaɪt.ɡaʊn

Nail varnish neɪl ˈvɑː.nɪʃ Nail polish neɪl ˈpɑːlɪʃ

Dressing gown ˈdres.ɪŋ ɡaʊn Bathrobe ˈbæθ.roʊb

6. Different words in British and American English about children and schools.
British Phonetic form American Phonetic form
Professor prəˈfesə(r) Teacher ˈtiːtʃər
Maths mæθs Math mæθ
Brackets ˈbræk.ɪt Parentheses pəˈren.θə.siːz
Course kɔːs Class klæs
Behaviour bɪˈheɪvjə(r) Behavior bɪˈheɪ.vjɚ
Break breɪk Recess ˈriːses
Primary school ˈpraɪməri skuːl Elementary ˌel.ɪˈmen.t̬ ɚ.i
school
skuːl
State school steɪt skuːl Public school ˈpʌblɪk skuːl
Cot kɒt Crib krɪb
Dummy ˈdʌm.i Pacifier ˈpæs.ɪ.faɪ.ɚ
 Football ˈfʊtbɔːl Soccer ˈsɑː.kɚ

Holiday ˈhɒlədeɪ Vacation vəˈkeɪʃn

Infant’s school ˈɪn.fənt skuːl Kindergarten ˈkɪn.dɚˌɡɑːr.tən
Nappy ˈnæp.i Diaper ˈdaɪ.pɚ
Queue kjuː Line laɪn
Revise rɪˈvaɪz Study ˈstʌdi
Timetable ˈtaɪmteɪbl Schedule ˈskedʒuːl
Colours ˈkʌl.ər Colors ˈkʌl.ɚ
Organice ˈɔːɡənaɪz Organize ˈɔːrɡənaɪz
Rubber ˈrʌbə(r) Eraser ɪˈreɪ.sɚ

7. Different words in British and American English mean the same thing.
British Phonetic form American Phonetic form
At weekends ət ˌwiːkˈend On weekends ɑːn ˈwiːk.end
Autumn ˈɔːtəm Fall fɔːl
Apologise əˈpɒl.ə.dʒaɪz Apologize əˈpɑːlədʒaɪz
Bill bɪl Check tʃek
Catalogue ˈkæt.əl.ɒɡ Catalog ˈkæt̬ .əl.ɑːɡ
Cancellation ˌkæn.səlˈeɪ.ʃən Cancellation ˌkæn.səlˈeɪ.ʃən
Programme ˈprəʊɡræm Program ˈproʊɡræm
5 Dollar note faɪv ˈdɒlə(r) nəʊt 5 Dollar bill faɪv ˈdɑːlər bɪl
Diversion daɪˈvɜː.ʃən Detour ˈdiː.tʊr
Different from/to ˈdɪfrənt frəm/tə Different than/to ˈdɪfrənt ðən/tə
Flavour ˈfleɪvə(r) Flavor ˈfleɪ.vɚ
Programme ˈprəʊɡræm Program ˈproʊɡræm
Misspelt ˌmɪsˈspel Misspelled ˌmɪsˈspel
Monday of Friday ˈmʌndeɪ əv Monday through ˈmʌndeɪ θruː
Friday
ˈfraɪdeɪ ˈfraɪdeɪ
Traveller ˈtrævələ(r) Traveler ˈtræv.əl.lər
Gaol dʒeɪl Jail dʒeɪl
Giddy ˈɡɪd.i Dizzy ˈdɪz.i
Label ˈleɪbl Tag tæɡ
Mackintosh ˈmæk.ɪn.tɒʃ Raincoat ˈreɪŋ.koʊt
 Parcel ˈpɑː.səl Package ˈpækɪdʒ

8. Different words in British and American English that you need to know.
British Phonetic form American Phonetic form
Carry cot ˈkæri kɒt Baby buggy ˈbeɪbi ˈbʌɡ.i
Estate Agent ɪˈsteɪt ˈeɪdʒənt Real State Agent ˈriːəl steɪt
ˈeɪdʒənt
Father ˈfɑːðə(r) Dad/Daddy Dæd/ˈdæd.i
Mum mʌm Mom mɑːm
Post pəʊst Mail meɪl
Lamp post Læmp pəʊst Street light striːt laɪt
Postbox ˈpəʊst.bɒks Mailbox ˈmeɪl.bɑːks
Friend frend Pal pæl
Movie ˈmuːvi Film fɪlm
Mobile Phone ˈməʊbaɪl fəʊn Cellphone ˈselfəʊn
Aeroplane ˈeə.rə.pleɪn Airplane ˈer.pleɪn
To ring tə rɪŋ To call tə kɔːl
Fortnight ˈfɔːt.naɪt Two weeks tuː wiːk
Barrister ˈbær.ɪ.stər Attorney əˈtɜːrni
Rumour ˈruːmə(r) Rumor ˈruː.mɚ
Trade union treɪd ˈjuːniən Labor union ˈleɪ.bɚ ˈjuːniən
Sanitary towel ˈsæn.ɪ.tər.i taʊəl Sanitary napkin ˈsæn.ɪ.ter.i
ˈnæp.kɪn
Paracetamol ˌpær.əˈsiː.tə.mɒl Acetaminophen
Maize meɪz Corn kɔːrn
Analyse ˈænəlaɪz Analyze ˈæn.əl.aɪz
REFERENCES

Navarro A. 18 de octubre de 2021. Las 160 palabras diferentes en inglés británico y

americano. El Blog de infoidiomas.
https://www.infoidiomas.com/blog/14121/palabras-diferentes-en-ingles-
britanico-y-americano/

Oxford International English Schools. S.F. The differences in British and American
spelling. https://www.oxfordinternationalenglish.com/differences-in-british-and-
american-
spelling/#:~:text=The%20main%20difference%20is%20that,sounds%20when%
20it%20is%20spoken.