English Vocabulary for ESL learners
UK - US DIFFERENCES - page 1
Differences in British and American spelling and vocabulary
British and American spelling and vocabulary differ in many areas.
British English tends to keep the spelling of words absorbed from other languages (e.g. French), whereas American English often adapts the spelling of words to sound as they are actually spoken.
There are also many cases where different words or terms are used to refer to the same thing.
Below you find examples of differences in spelling and vocabulary.
British English tends to keep the spelling of words absorbed from other languages (e.g. French), whereas American English often adapts the spelling of words to sound as they are actually spoken.
There are also many cases where different words or terms are used to refer to the same thing.
Below you find examples of differences in spelling and vocabulary.
| BRITAIN (UK) |
AMERICA (US) |
OUR / -OR: Many words end in -our in Britain, and in -or in America. |
|
| Britain (UK) | America (US) |
| Colour | Color |
| Favour | Favor |
| Honor | Honor |
| Neighbour | Neighbor |
-TRE / -TER: |
|
| Britain (UK) | America (US) |
| Centre | Center |
| Metre | Meter |
| Litre | Liter |
| Theatre | Theater |
Doubling of letters: In Britain, the 'l' is doubled in an unstressed syllable : |
|
| Britain (UK) | America (US) |
| Travelling | Traveling |
| Marvellous | Marvelous |
Different Spelling: |
|
| Britain (UK) | America (US) |
| Analogue | Analog |
| Catalogue | Catalog |
| Cheque | Check |
| Dialogue | Dialog |
| Defence | Defense |
| Jewellery | Jewelry |
| Kerb | Curb |
| Plough | Plow |
| Programme | Program |
| Pyjamas | Pajamas |
| Speciality | Specialty |
| Tyre (for a wheel) | Tire |
Different words: |
|
| Britain (UK) | America (US) |
| Aubergine | Eggplant |
| Autumn | Autumn/Fall |
| Plaster | Band-aid |
| Bill | Check |
| Bin | Trash can |
| Biscuit(s) | Cookie(s) |
| Bonnet (of a car) | Hood |
| Boot (of a car) | Trunk |
| Car park | Parking lot |
| Cash point (to withdraw money) | ATM |
| Cot (for a baby) | Crib |
| Chemist's (shop) | Drugstore |
| Chips | French fries |
| Cooker | Stove |
| Crisps (potato crisps) | Potato chips |
| City Centre | Downtown |
| Cinema | Movie theater |
| Courgette | Zucchini |
| CV | Resume |
| Draughts (board game) | Checkers |
| Dustbin | Garbage can |
| Film | Movie |
| Flat | Apartment |
| Flatmate | Roommate |
| Football | Soccer |
| Full stop (punctuation) | Period |
| Garden | Yard |
| Grill (verb) | Broil |
| Handbag | Purse |
| Holiday | Vacation |
| Indicator | Blinker |
| Letter box | Mail box |
| Lift | Elevator |
| Lorry | Truck |
| Luggage | Baggage |
| Maths | Math |
| Mobile phone | Cell phone |
| Motorway | Freeway/Highway |
| Nappy | Diaper |
| Off-licence | Liquor store |
| Pavement | Sidewalk |
| Petrol | Gas/gasoline |
| Pocket money | Allowance |
| Post | |
| Postcode | Zip code |
| Primary school | Elementary school |
| Pub | Bar |
| Queue | Line |
| Return (ticket) | Round trip (ticket) |
| Rubber | Eraser |
| Rubbish | Garbage |
| Secondary school | High school |
| Sellotape | Scotch tape |
| Shop | Store |
| Single (ticket) | One-way ticket |
| Solicitor | Lawyer |
| Starter | Appetizer |
| Surname | Last name |
| Sweets | Candy |
| Tap | Faucet |
| Taxi | Cab |
| Timetable | Schedule |
| Tin | Can |
| Toilet | Bathroom/restroom |
| Torch | Flashlight |
| Trainers | Sneakers |
| Tram | Streetcar/cable car |
| Trousers | Pants |
| Underground | Subway |
| Vest | Undershirt |
| Waistcoat | Vest |
| Wardrobe | Closet |
Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.