The difference between British English and American English

The list below highlights the difference between British English and American English.

Apart from the spelling differences – you can see those by clicking on the USA – UK differences at the left hand side of this page – there are a number of differences in vocabulary listed below.

I suggest you look them over because you never know when you may run into an American after studying British English, or when you may run into a Brit after having studied American English.

Having been to England a number of times now myself, I can assure you that the differences between American and British vocabulary are just enough to cause a few laughs.

Well, maybe a few… misunderstandings. 😉

What’s important to remember?

That both British English and American English are accepted on the examinations as long as you consistently use either one or the other. In other words, don’t mix!

BRITISH ENGLISH

AMERICAN ENGLISH

Buildings in General block of flats first floor flat ground floor lift Household Furniture camp bed chest of drawers cot cupboard curtains dresser (for plates, dishes) roller blind standard lamp In the Kitchen baking tray bread bin clothes peg cooker cutlery flex hoover (to hoover) liquidizer / blender napkin / serviette tap tea towel tin opener wash up washing up liquid waste bin worktop Fruits and vegetables aubergine beetroot spring onion courgette marrow runner bean Meat minced meat Snacks biscuits chips crisps sweets sweetshop Automobile / Car accelerator aerial bonnet boot gear level handbrake indicator switch mudguard petrol cap puncture rear light side-light windscreen wing wing mirror Motor Vehicles coach estate car lorry sallon Near Roads car park crossroads cycle path diversion flyover lay by middle lane motorway pavement pedestrian / zebra crossing roundabout sleeping policeman slip road subway underground Driving change up into gear overtake reverse down Shops / Stores bookshop chemist’s chemist fishmonger’s greengrocer’s grocer’s jeweller’s newsagent’s off-licence stationer’s Clothes anorak braces dinner jacket dressing gown polo neck jumper suspenders tights trousers turn-ups vest waistcoat Shoes court shoes thongs football boots plimsolls trainers wellington boots Travel buffet car engine driver hire / rent a car luggage trolley railway carriage railway station return ticket single ticket Telephonee dialing / STD code directory enquiries it’s engaged / busy reverse the charges Miscellaneous autumn bank note candyfloss carrycot fortnight / two weeks high street hire purchase holiday interval nappy petrol petrol / filling station polling day caretaker postbox / letterbox postman postcode queue rubber rubbish secondary school sellotape skipping rope term university wardrobe (TV) aerial dustbin

Buildings in General apartment building second floor apartment first floor elevator Household Furniture cot dresser crib closet drapes hutch shade floor lamp In the Kitchen cookie sheet bread box clothes pin stove silverware electric cord vacuum cleaner (to vacuum) blender napkin faucet dish towel can opener do the dishes dish washing liquid waste basket counter Fruits and vegetables eggplant beet green onion zucchini squash string bean Meat ground meat (hamburger) Snacks cookies French fries chips candies candy store Automobile / Car gas pedal antenna hood trunk gear shift emergency break turn signal / blinker splash guard (mud flaps ) gas cap blow-out (flat) tail-light parking-light windshield fender rearview mirror Motor Vehicles bus station wagon truck sedan Near Roads parking lot intersection bicycle route detour overpass rest area center lane freeway / highway sidewalk crosswalk traffic circle speed bump on ramp underpass subway Driving shift into gear pass back down Shops / Stores bookstore drugstore / pharmacy fishstore fruit and vegetable stand grocery store jewelry store news dealer liquor store stationary / office supply Clothes parka suspenders tuxedo robe turtleneck sweater garters pantyhose pants cuffed pants undershirt vest Shoes pumps flip flops soccer shoes sneakers sneakers / tennis shoes rubber boots Travel café car engineer rent a car (hire a person) baggage cart railroad car railroad station round-trip ticket one way ticket Telephone area code information it’s busy call collect Miscellaneous fall bill cotton candy porta crib two weeks main street installment plan vacation intermission diaper gas gas station election day janitor mailbox mailman zip code line eraser garbage high school Scotch tape jump rope semester university / college closet (TV) antenna garbage / trash can

 That’s about it as far as the difference between British English and American English vocabulary goes.

There are a number of differences between British and American usages of idioms and phrasal verbs that I hope to include in the future.

If you know of any difference between British English and American English that I haven’t included, feel free to contact me.