British English vs American English: 101+ Differences (+ PDF file) – Justlearn
Even though English is one language, there are some slight differences between English accents and dialects.
According to Lingohut,
there are 160 different dialects of the English language throughout the world.
On top of that, there can also be a difference in spelling, vocaubulary, or grammar etc.
The most obvious difference, and also the difference that many learners (but also native speakers) find important, is the one between American and British English.
It’s an ongoing struggle for all English students.
So what are the differences between British English and
American English?
The biggest difference between these two is mainly in vocabulary and grammar, but you can find some differences in spelling and pronunciation, though it is more rare.
Now, you must be wondering what those differences are?
Which word to use? How to spell it?
Let’s take a look at the following lines, where you can find all the interesting words, phrases, spelling, and pronunciation.
We have also prepared a PDF file with words and differences so that you can have it with you whenever you need it!
The naming of floors in the building
It’s a small but significant difference.
Did you know that in British English, the floor of a building at a street level is called the ground floor, and in American English, it is called the first floor?
The floor above in British English is called the first floor, but Americans call it the second floor.
Pretty impressive, don’t you think?
British English
American English
Basement
Basement
Ground Floor
First Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Second Floor
Third Floor
Third Floor
Fourth Floor
Example: At the moment, I am on the ground floor. Are you on the second floor?
Example: At the moment, I am on the first floor? Are you on the third floor?
A little bit more about buildings
British English
American English
Black of flats
Amartment house/building
Terrace
Townhouse
Example: Tom and Anne live on a beautiful terrace.
Example: Ton and Anne live in a beautiful townhouse.
And what about shops? Are they the same… or perhaps not?
British
American
Chemist
Drugstore/Druggist
Surgery
Doctor’s office
Caffe
Diner
Ironmonger
Hardware store
Bungalow
House/Ranch house
Newsagent
News dealer/Newstand
Off license/Wine merchant
Liquor store
Bureau de change
Currency exchange
Example: I have to change the money. Will you go with me to a bureau de change?
Example: I have to change the money. Will you go with me to currency exchange?
In the house
While in
American English, ‘There is no place like home, British prefer saying ‘whilst.’
However, home is one and only, so there is no difference. What do you think?
British
American
Garden
Backyard/Yard
Tap
Faucet
Cupboard
Closet
Wardrobe
Closet
Curtains
Drapes
Net curtains
Sheers/Under drapes
Bin/Dust Bin
Trash can
Telephone/Blower/Phone
Telephone
Television/Box/TV/Telly
Television/TV
Cooker (gas/electronic cooker)
Range/Stove
Couch/Sofa/Settee
Sofa
Sofa
Davenport/Couch
Hand Basin/Sink
Sink
Bath
Bath tub
Run the bath
Fill the tub
Sitting room
Living room
Living room
Living room
Lounge
Living room
Drawing room
Living room
The toilet/Visiting the little boys’/girls’ room
Bathroom/Restroom
Please note: Bathroom is the room where the bath is and you want to take a bath.
British
American
Example: I watch the telly whilst sitting on the settee.
I watch the TV while sitting on the sofa.
Spelling list
The spelling in British English is mainly absorbed from other languages such as
French or
German and favors words that have originally appeared in the language. In American English, it is based on how the words sound because it tends to be easier.
Here are some of the differences:
1. Words that end in -re in British English ,often end in -er in American English
British English – American English
Centre – Center
Fibre – Fiber
Litre – Liter
Theatre – Theater
Example: There is a new theatre in the centre – British version
There is a new theater in the center. – American version
2. Words that end in -nce in British English, have their ending as -nse in American English
Defence – Defense
Licence – License
Offence – Offense
Pretence – Pretense
Example: In my defence, I do have a licence. – British
In my defense, I do have a license. – American
3. While some of the British speakers find it correct to use the ending -ize in British English like American speakers do, other British consider it wrong and use the ending -ise.
Apologise – Apologize
Organise – Organize
Recognise – Recognize
Example: Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t recognise you at all. – British
Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t recognize you at all. – American
4. In British English, the preferred ending is -our, while in American English is -or. It is also the most obvious spelling difference between these two English dialects.
Behaviour – Behavior
Colour – Color
Flavour – Flavor
Humour – Humor
Labour – Labor
Neighbour – Neighbor
Example: Our new neighbour is such a lovely girl, full of humour. – British
Our new neighbor is such a lovely girl, full of humor. – American
5. Words with Greek or Latin roots are more complex to spell in British English, while in American English, they are rather simplified.
Leukaemia – Leukemia
Manoeuvre – Maneuver
Oestrogen – Estrogen
Paediatric – Pediatric
Example: Even a child knows that leukaemia is not connected to oestrogen at all. – British
Even a child knows that leukemia is not connected to estrogen at all. – America
6. In British English, the letter ‘l’ is generally still used double. In American English, on another hand, this is, of course, simplified, so they use the letter ‘l’ once.
Travelling – Traveling
Travelled – Traveled
Fuelling – Fueling
Fuelled – Fueled
Example: Whilst I’ve been travelling, I came across my old friend. – British
While I’ve been traveling, I came across my old friend. – American
Other spelling differences
Aeroplane – Airplane
Cheque – Check
Grey – Gray
Example: Grey’s family’s favourite colour is not grey. – British
Grey’s family’s favorite color is not gray. – American
Reminder: You can download the PDF file, which is in the end of this article. Keep it close and practice!
Differences in vegetables
In the following lines, find some of the most exciting differences when talking about vegetables.
Courgette – Zucchini
Aubergine – Eggplant
Jacket potato – Baked potato
Runner bean – String bean
Example: Do you prefer courgette or aubergine?
Do you prefer zucchini or eggplant?
Are you peckish or hungry? Differences in food
Black treacle – Molasses
Chips – French fries
Corn flour – Corn starch
Crisps – Potato chips
Biscuit – Cookie
Peckish – Hungry
Sweets – Candy
Starter – Appetizer
Bill (at restaurant) – Check
Rasher – A slice of bacon
Take-away – Take-out
Icing sugar – Confectioner’s/ powdered sugar
Kipper – Smoked herring
Marrow – Squash
Scone – Biscuit
Sorbet – Sherbet
Candyfloss – Cotton candy
Puddings/ Afters/ Dessert/ Sweets – Dessert
Black or white (coffee)? – With or without (sugar)?
Example: I like chips, but I prefer crisps.
I like french fries, but I prefer potato chips.
British English vs American English: how do they dress?
Trainers – Sneakers
Plimsolls – Gym shoes
Wellington – Wellies, Boots
Jumper/ pullover – Sweater
Waistcoat – Vest
Braces – Suspenders
Bootlase/ Shoelace – Shoestring
Clothes peg – Clothespin
Dressing gown – Bathrobe
Nappy – Diaper
Polo neck – Turtle neck
Pyjamas – Pajamas
Swimming costume – Bathing suit
Rubber – Boot
Zip – Zipper
Bowler/ hard hat – Derby
Example: Have you packed dressing gown and pyjamas? No, but I have packed a swimming costume.
Have you packed bathrobe and pajamas? No, but I have packed a bathing suit.
On the road in Britain vs. America
Dual carriageway – Divided highway
Sleeping Policeman/ speed bump – Speed bump
Car park – Parking lot
Car journey/ drive – Road trip
Zebra Crossing/ Pedestrian Crossing – Cross walk
Lolipop man or lady – Crossing Guard
Motor way – Super highway
Lorry – Truck
Articulated lorry – Tractor Truck/ Trailer Truck
Estate car – Station wagon
Skip – Dumpster
Petrol – Gas/ Gasoline
Pavement – Sidewalk
Roundabout (road) – Traffic circle
Fly-over – Overpass
Fire Engine – Fire Truck
Convoy – Caravan
Caravan – Trailer
Example: Be careful! There is a sleeping policeman near that school. – British
Be careful! There is a speed bump near that. – American
Parts of a car
Which one do you prefer to use? Take a look at the differences between British and American English.
Bonnet – Hood
Boot – Truck
Gear level – Gear shift
Exhaust pipe – Tail pipe/ Muffler
Number plate – Reversing plate
Reversing light – Back-up lights
Windscreen – Windshield
Example: I need to have repaired my windscreen. – British
I need to have repaired my windshield. – American
British English or American English – At school
How do British and American English differ in these terms? Do they differ at all?
Here are some of the words that clearly show the huge difference between British and American vocabulary.
Friend/ Mate – Friend
Rubber – Eraser
Holiday – Vacation
Marking Scheme – Grading Scheme
Mucking Around/ Off Task – Off Task/ Fooling Around/ Goofing off
Open Day/ Open Evening – Open House
Play Time/ Break Time – Recess
Packed Lunch – Bag Lunch
School Dinner – Hot Lunch
Public School – State School
State School – Public School
Drawing pins – Pushpins/ Thumbtacks
Headmaster/ Headmistress/Headteacher – Principal
Caretaker/ Porter – Janitor
Example: Our headmaster is a charming man.
Our principal is a charming man.
What about words and phrases about people?
British English – American English
Girl/ Lass – Girl
Boy/ Lad – Boy
Man/ Bloke/ Chap/ Gentleman/Guy – Man/ Guy
Policeman/ Bobby/ Copper – Cop
Postman – Postal Worker/ Mailman/ Mail Carrier
Dustman – Garbage Man
Friend/ Pal/ Chum/ Mate/ Buddy – Friend/ Buddy
Cashier – Teller
Lollypop Man – Crossing Guard
Guard ( railway) – Conductor
Solicitor – Lawyer/ Attorney
Caretaker/ Porter – Janitor
Nutter – Crazy Person
British English vs American English – Other useful differences
A little hard to organize the following words, but interesting to mention them. Take a glance at them.
Autumn – Fall
To book – To make a reservation
Butter muslin/ Cheese cloth – Cheese cloth
Catapult – Slingshot
Conscription – Draft
Cotton – Thread
Cotton reel – Spool
Cotton wool – Cotton batting
Example: The most beautiful thing in autumn are leaves.
The most beautiful thing in fall are leaves.
The most beautiful word in every language
Like the cherry on top of the cake, just like in every language, the most beautiful word in English is the following: Mum and Mummy.
When people came to America, they took the spelling with them so in American English, you can say Mom or Mommy,
In British English, however, Mum and Mummy are old English words.
So, here it is:
British English – American English
Mum/ Mummy – Mom/ Mommy
What do you think? Are there too many differences between these two dialects?
Are you using British or American English while (or should we say whilst) you are talking in English?
Don’t worry. Even if you mix some of the words or phrases in your conversations, native speakers won’t get mad.
However, they will undoubtedly correct you and emphasize whether it is, in fact, British or American English.
Start by downloading our list of words in PDF –
British English vs. American English Words PDF
Keep it near you until you get completely familiar with all the differences between these accents.
There are many more differences, as well as many interesting facts, and you can learn and acquire all of them with our
native English tutors.
It can be a hard decision because all of them are amazing! However, choose one of them and start your
Justlearn journey.
