American English to British English Vocabulary
While pronunciation, grammar, and spelling are among the many differences between American and British English, perhaps the most difficult to navigate is the difference in American and British vocabulary and word choice.
American and British Vocabulary and Word Choice
Many students are confused about word differences between American and British English. Generally speaking, it’s true that most Americans will understand British English speakers and vice versa despite the many differences. As your English becomes more advanced, however, it becomes more important to decide which form of English you prefer. Once you’ve decided, try to stick to one form or the other in all aspects including pronunciation differences: General American or Received Pronunciation. This consistency is key to clear English communication.
The following list provides common American English vocabulary and word choices and their British English equivalents arranged in alphabetical order. Which words are already most familiar to you?
American English
British English
antenna
aerial
mad
angry
anyplace
anywhere
fall
autumn
bill
bank note
attorney
barrister, solicitor
cookie
biscuit
hood
bonnet
trunk
boot
suspenders
braces
janitor
caretaker
drug store
chemist’s
french fries
chips
the movies
the cinema
rubber
condom
patrolman
constable
stove
cooker
wheat
corn, wheat
crib
cot
thread
cotton
wreck
crash
intersection
crossroads
drapes
curtains
checkers
draughts
thumbtack
drawing pin
divided highway
dual carriageway
pacifier
dummy
trashcan
dustbin, rubbish-bin
garbage can
dustbin, rubbish-bin
garbage collector
dustman
generator
dynamo
motor
engine
engineer
engine driver
movie
film
apartment
flat
overpass
flyover
yard
garden
gear-shift
gear-lever
alumnus
graduate
boiler
grill
first floor
ground floor
rubbers
gumshoes, wellington boots
sneakers
gym shoes, tennis-shoes
purse
handbag
billboard
hoarding
vacation
holiday
vacuum cleaner
hoover
sick
ill
intermission
interval
sweater
jersey, jumper, pullover, sweater
pitcher
jug
elevator
lift
truck
lorry
baggage
luggage
raincoat
mackintosh, raincoat
crazy
mad
highway
main road
corn
maize
math
maths
stingy
mean
freeway
motorway
diaper
nappy
vicious, mean
nasty
noplace
nowhere
private hospital
nursing home
optometrist
optician
liquor store
off-license
kerosene
paraffin
sidewalk
pavement
peek
peep
gasoline
petrol
mail
post
mailbox
postbox
mailman, mail carrier
postman
potato chips
potato crisps
baby carriage
pram
bar
pub
restroom
public toilet
blow-out
puncture
stroller
push-chair
line
queue
railroad
railway
railway car
railway carriage
spool of thread
reel of cotton
round trip
return (ticket)
call collect
reverse charges
raise
rise (in salary)
pavement
road surface
traffic circle
roundabout
eraser
rubber
garbage, trash
rubbish
sedan
saloon (car)
Scotch tape
sellotape
store
shop
muffler
silencer
one-way
single (ticket)
someplace
somewhere
wrench
spanner
faculty
staff (of a university)
oil pan
sump
dessert
sweet
candy
sweets
faucet
tap
spigot
tap (outdoors)
cab
taxi
dish-towel
tea-towel
semester
term
pantyhose
tights
schedule
timetable
can
tin
turnpike
toll motorway
flashlight
torch
hobo
tramp
pants
trousers
cuffs
turn-ups
subway
underground railway
shorts
underpants
shoulder (of road)
verge (of road)
vest
waistcoat
closet
wardrobe
wash up
wash your hands
windshield
windscreen
fender
wing
zipper
zip
Now, test your knowledge with the two quizzes below.
American to British English Vocabulary Quiz
Replace the American English word in italics with a British English word.
- I’d like to hang the drapes tonight. Do you have time?
- We took the elevator to the 10th floor.
- Would you like to see a movie tonight?
- Have you seen Tim’s new apartment yet? It’s very nice.
- Run down to the drug store and buy some aspirin, please.
- Let’s go to the bar and get a drink.
- I’ll take the garbage out before I leave tomorrow morning.
- Take the second exit at the traffic circle.
- Let’s get have some potato chips with lunch.
- Could you hand me the flashlight so I can take a look in the closet?
- Peter wore a pair of slim fitting pants to the party.
- She opened the tap and watered the garden.
- Have you ever worn a vest with a suit?
- I’ll pick up the mail on the way home from work.
- Could you buy me a pair of pantyhose at the mall?
Answers
- curtains
- lift
- film
- flat
- chemist’s
- pub
- rubbish
- roundabout
- crisps
- torch
- trousers
- spigot
- waistcoat
- post
- tights
British to American English Vocabulary Quiz
Replace the British word in italics with an American English word.
- We need to find a public toilet soon.
- Let’s get the pram and take a walk with Jennifer.
- I’m afraid I had a puncture and had to get it fixed.
- Could you bring in that tin of tuna over there?
- He puts his trousers on like any other person.
- She’s very mean with her money. Don’t ask her for any help.
- I generally don’t wear a suit with a waistcoat.
- We should ask a constable for help.
- Let’s go to the off-license and get some whiskey.
- Get on queue and I’ll get us something to eat.
- Grab a tea-towel and clean that up.
- Look at the schedule and see when the train leaves.
- The car has a dent in the wing.
- Choose a sweater from the wardrobe and let’s get going.
- The lights have gone out, and we’ll need a torch.
Answers
- restroom
- baby carriage
- blow-out
- can
- pants
- stingy
- vest
- patrolman
- liquor store
- line
- dish-towel
- time table
- fender
- closet
- flashlight
mla
apa
chicago
