A selection of the main differences in vocabulary usage between the British and the Americans in the English language. This is mainly taken from http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/british-american.htm
British English | American English |
anti-clockwise | counter-clockwise |
articulated lorry | trailer truck |
Aubergine | Eggplant |
autumn | autumn, fall |
Advocates (Scotland) | Attorney |
bill (restaurant) | bill, check |
biscuit | cookie |
block of flats | apartment building |
bonnet (clothing) | hat |
bonnet (car) | hood |
boot | trunk |
caravan | trailer |
car park | parking lot |
chemist’s shop | drugstore, pharmacy |
chest of drawers | dresser, chest of drawers, bureau |
chips | fries, French fries |
the cinema | the movies |
clothes peg | clothespin |
coffin | coffin, casket |
Courgette | Zucchini |
crisps | potato chips, chips |
crossroads | intersection; crossroads (rural) |
cupboard | cupboard (in kitchen); closet (for clothes etc) |
diversion | detour |
drawing-pin | thumbtack |
drink-driving | drunk driving |
driving licence | driver’s license |
dual carriageway | divided highway |
dummy (for baby) | pacifier |
dustbin | garbage can, trash can |
dustman | garbage collector |
engine | engine, motor |
estate agent | real estate agent |
estate car | station wagon |
flat | apartment, flat, studio |
flyover | overpass |
Gas (auto) | LPG, Autogas |
gearbox (car) | transmission |
gear-lever | gearshift |
Girl Guide | Girl Scout |
ground floor | ground/first floor |
high street | main street |
holiday | vacation |
hood (car) | convertible top |
jug | jug, pitcher |
juggernaut | 18-wheeler |
lift | elevator |
lorry | truck, semi, tractor |
mad | crazy, insane |
main road | highway |
maize | corn |
maths | math |
motorway | highway, freeway, expressway, interstate highway, interstate |
nappy | diaper |
naughts and crosses | tic-tack-toe |
pants, underpants | underpants, drawers |
pavement | sidewalk |
pet hate | pet peeve |
petrol | gas, gasoline |
pocket money | allowance |
post | |
postbox | mailbox |
postcode | zip code |
postman | mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier |
pub | bar |
public toilet | rest room, public bathroom |
railway | railroad |
return (ticket) | round-trip |
reverse charge | collect call |
ring road | beltway, freeway/highway loop |
road surface | pavement, blacktop |
roundabout | traffic circle, roundabout |
rubber | eraser |
rubbish | garbage, trash |
rubbish-bin | garbage can, trashcan |
saloon (car) | sedan |
silencer (car) | muffler |
single (ticket) | one-way |
solicitor | lawyer, attorney |
spanner | wrench |
sweets | candy |
tea towel | dish towel |
third-party insurance | liability insurance |
timetable | schedule |
tin | can |
toll motorway | toll road, turnpike |
torch | flashlight |
trousers | pants |
tube (train) | subway |
underground (train) | subway |
vest | undershirt |
waistcoat | vest |
wallet | wallet, billfold |
wellington boots | rubber boots, rain boots |
whisky | whisky/whiskey |
windscreen | windshield |
zip | zipper |
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