Differences between British English and American words (vocabulary)

18/05/08 23:30

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What are the differences between British English and American English ?
Print off worksheet (copysheet) for this page

There are many British words which are different to American words.
For example: A A A A A lorry is a slimmer truck. lift is an elevator. fortnight is two weeks. chemist is a person who works in a drugstore. dual carriageway is a freeway.

Lisa and Sofia Efthymiou, an American mum and daughter, have listed below a few of the differences between British and American words. Visit also our Glossary of British Words We have arranged the words in categories to make viewing easier for school work.

British and American Vocabulary Clothes At School On the Road Buildings / Shops Let's Eat! British and American Spellings Parts of a Car In and around the House People Sport Other Words Test Yourself

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Differences between British English and American words (vocabulary)

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Clothes
In the UK, we would be embarrassed if people saw our pants. why?

British English Trousers Pants / Underwear / Knickers Jumper / Pullover / Sweater / Jersey Pinafore Dress Vest Waistcoat Wellington Boots / Wellies Mac (slang for Macintosh) Plimsolls Trainers Braces Suspenders Dressing Gown Nappy Pinny / Apron Polo Neck Dressing Gown Swimming costume / Cozzy

American English Pants Underwear / panties Sweater Jumper Undershirt Vest Galoshes Rain Coat Gym Shoes Sneakers Suspenders Holds up stockings Robe Diaper Apron Turtle Neck Bath Robe Bathing Suit

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At School
"Stop mucking around and get on with your work," shouted the teacher to two students who were off task.

British English Friend / Mate

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American English Friend

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Glue Rubber Maths Public School State School Holiday School dinner Staff Room Plimsolls "Mucking Around" / Off Task Play Time / Break Time Open Day / Open Evening Marking Scheme Drawing pins

Gum Eraser Math Private School Public School Vacation Hot Lunch Teachers Lounge Gym Shoes Off Task / Fooling Around / "Goofing Off" Recess Open House Grading Scheme pushpins or thumbtacks Back to the Top

On the Road
In the UK, we drive slowly over sleeping policemen. Are we afraid of waking them up?

British English

American English

Sleeping Policeman /speed bump Speed bump Car park Car Journey / drive Zebra Crossing / Pedestrian Crossing Lollipop Man or Lady Motorway Traffic Jam / Tailback Lorry Articulated Lorry
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Parking Lot Road Trip Cross Walk Crossing Guard Freeway Traffic Jam Truck Tractor Trailer / Trailer Truck
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Trailer Truck Petrol Pavement Petrol Station Skip Diversion Fire Engine Phone Box Gas / Gasoline Sidewalk Gas Station Dumpster Detour Fire Truck Telephone Booth Back to the Top

Buildings / Shops
British English Semi-Detached House Flat (one storey) appartment Terrace (row of houses joined) Chemist Cafe / Caff (not 24 hrs) Bungalow American English Duplex Apartment Town House Drug Store / Druggist Diner House (one story) Ranch House Back to the Top

Food
Are you Peckish? (Are you Hungry?) What's for afters? Have you had your pudding yet? Are you feeling peckish (hungry)? That food looks very scrummy (delicious)

British English Biscuit / Bickie (A cookie is a large biscuit)

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American English Cookie

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Scone Fairy Cake Courgette Sweets Sausage / Banger Crisps Chips (French Fries in McDonald's) Starter Puddings / Afters / Dessert / Sweets Jacket Potato / Baked Potato Jam Jelly Aubergine Sandwich / Butty / Sarny Ice lolly Bill (at restaurant) Grill Food / Grub / Nosh Rasher Eggy bread (fried) Runner beans Soldiers (We dip soldiers in our soft boiled eggs) Take-away Scotch Pancakes

Biscuit Cup Cake Zucchini Candy Sausage Potato Chips French Fries Appetizer Dessert Baked Potato Jelly Jello Eggplant Sandwich Popsicle check Broil Food A slice of bacon French Toast Green beans Finger sized slices of toast. Take out Flapjacks

Flapjacks in England are oats mixed with honey and/or golden syrup and baked then cut into slices. sometimes raisins are added to the mixture. Find out more: about the food we eat in England and in the rest of the UK about British Slang words
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Parts of a Car
British English Bonnet Windscreen Boot Reversing lights Exhaust pipe American English Hood Windshield Trunk Back-up lights Tail pipe / Muffler Back to the Top

In and around the House

I watch the telly whilst lying on the settee. Whilst is used in British English. It is another word for while

British English The Toilet / Loo / The John / Bog / WC / Visiting the little boys (little girl's room).

American English Bathroom / Restroom

Bathroom - the room where the bath is. If you asked us for the bathroom we will think you want to have a bath! Tap Garden Wardrobe Bin / Dust Bin Telephone / Blower / Phone Television / Box / Telly/ TV Cooker Couch / Sofa / Settee Hand Basin / Sink Run the bath
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Faucet Backyard / Yard Closet Trash Can Telephone TV / Television Range or Stove Sofa Sink Fill the tub
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People
British English Girl / Lass Boy / Lad Man / Bloke / Gentleman / Guy / Chap Lady / Woman Policeman / Bobby / Copper Postman Dustman Friend / Pal / Chum / Mate / Buddy Cashier Lollypop Man Nutter Mum / Mummy / Mom Back to the Top American English Girl Boy Man / Guy Lady Policeman / Cop Mailman Garbage Man Friend / Buddy Teller Crossing Guard Crazy Person Mom

Sport
British English Football Rounders Bat (table tennis) American English Soccer Baseball Paddle (ping pong) Back to the Top

Other Words
British English
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American English
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Torch Plaster Autumn Bank Holiday Lift Queue There's a queue. Quid (slang for pound) Surgery Trodden on I'm knackered Kip / sleep Nick Wireless / Radio Starkers / naked Come round Off you go It's gone off Lady bird

Flashlight Band-Aid Fall National Holiday Elevator Stand in a Line There's a line. Bucks Doctor's office Stepped on I'm Beat sleep steal Radio Naked Come over Go ahead It's spoiled Lady bug

Test yourself
British vs. American English Words British vs. American English Vocab British vs. American English Spelling

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