British vs American English Words – 100 Differences on Video
English is an international language by all means. But there are many varieties of English including the two main ones – British and American. There are some notable differences between these two with regard to vocabulary, pronunciation, spelling
Here we’ll look at 100 words that are different in British and American English.
British | American |
| aeroplane | airplane |
| anticlockwise | counterclockwise |
| aubergine | eggplant |
| beetroot | beet(s) |
| biscuit | cookie; cracker |
| bonnet (of a car) | hood |
| boot (of a car) | trunk |
| breakdown van | tow truck |
| candyfloss | cotton candy |
| car park | parking lot |
| catapult | slingshot |
| chemist | drugstore |
| chips | French fries |
| cinema | movie theater; the movies |
| cling film | plastic wrap |
| cornflour | cornstarch |
| cot | crib |
| courgette | zucchini |
| cotton wool | absorbent cotton |
| crisps | chips; potato chips |
| current account | checking account |
| draughts (game) | checkers |
| drawing pin | thumbtack |
| dressing gown | robe; bathrobe |
| drink-driving | drunk driving |
| driving licence | driver’s license |
| dummy (for a baby) | pacifier |
| dustbin | garbage can |
| earth (electrical) | ground |
| engaged (of a phone) | busy |
| financial year | fiscal year |
| fire brigade, fire service | fire company, fire department |
| flat | apartment |
| flyover | overpass |
| fish finger | fish stick |
| fitted carpet | wall-to-wall carpeting |
| flannel | washcloth |
| football | soccer |
| footway | sidewalk |
| full stop (punctuation) | period |
| garden | yard; lawn |
| goods train | freight train |
| grill (noun) | broiler |
| grill (verb) | broil |
| ground floor | first floor |
| first floor | second floor |
| hoarding | billboard |
| holiday | vacation |
| jumper | sweater |
| junior school | elementary school |
| ladybird | ladybug |
| lift | elevator |
| lorry | truck |
| maize | corn |
| maths | math |
| mobile phone | cell phone |
| motorway | expressway; highway |
| nappy | diaper |
| noughts and crosses | tic-tac-toe |
| number plate | license plate |
| paracetamol | acetaminophen |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| pedestrian crossing | crosswalk |
| peg | clothespin |
| petrol | gas; gasoline |
| pinafore dress | jumper |
| polo neck | turtleneck |
| postbox | mailbox |
| postcode | zip code |
| potato crisp | potato chip |
| power point | electrical outlet |
| pram | baby carriage; stroller |
| public school | private school |
| pushchair | stroller |
| queue | line |
| ring road | beltway |
| roundabout (at a fair) | carousel |
| roundabout (in road) | traffic circle |
| rowing boat | rowboat |
| sailing boat | sailboat |
| saloon (car) | sedan |
| sanitary towel | sanitary napkin |
| skipping rope | jump rope |
| sledge | sled |
| solicitor | lawyer |
| starter | appetizer |
| sweet(s) | candy |
| trade union | labor union |
| trainers | sneakers |
| trolley | shopping cart |
| underground | subway |
| vacuum flask | thermos bottle |
| vest | undershirt |
| waistcoat | vest |
| wardrobe | closet |
| windcheater | windbreaker |
| windscreen | windshield |
| zebra crossing | crosswalk |
| zed (letter Z) | zee |
| zip | zipper |