British English/American English Vocabulary
Here are some of the main differences in vocabulary between British and
American English. This page is intended as a guide only. Bear in mind that
there can be differences in the choice of specific terms depending on dialect
and region within both the USA and
the UK.
U.K.
a lettuce
|
U.S.A.
a head of lettuce
|
accommodation
|
accommodations
|
action replay
|
instant replay
|
aerofoil
|
airfoil
|
aeroplane
|
airplane
|
agony aunt
|
advice columnist
|
Allen key
|
Allen wrench
|
aluminium
|
aluminum
|
aniseed
|
anise
|
anticlockwise
|
counterclockwise
|
anti-clockwise
|
counter-clockwise
|
articulated lorry
|
trailer truck
|
articulated lorry
|
tractor-trailer
|
asymmetric bars
|
uneven bars
|
aubergine
|
eggplant
|
autumn
|
autumn, fall
|
baking tray
|
cookie sheet
|
bank holiday
|
legal holiday
|
barrister
|
attorney
|
beetroot
|
beet(s)
|
bill
|
check
|
bill (restaurant)
|
bill, check
|
biscuit
|
cookie
|
biscuit
|
cookie; cracker
|
black economy
|
underground economy
|
blanket bath
|
sponge bath
|
blind
|
(window) shade
|
block of flats
|
apartment building
|
block of flats
|
apartment building
|
boiler suit
|
coveralls
|
bonnet (of a car)
|
hood
|
bonnet (car)
|
hood
|
bonnet (clothing)
|
hat
|
boob tube
|
tube top
|
boot
|
trunk
|
boot (of a car)
|
trunk
|
bottom drawer
|
hope chest
|
bowls
|
lawn bowling
|
braces
|
suspenders
|
brawn (the food)
|
headcheese
|
breakdown van
|
tow truck
|
breeze block
|
cinder block
|
bridging loan
|
bridge loan
|
bumbag
|
fanny pack
|
candyfloss
|
cotton candy
|
car park
|
parking lot
|
car park
|
parking lot
|
caravan
|
trailer
|
casualty
|
emergency room
|
catapult
|
slingshot
|
central reservation
|
median strip
|
chemist
|
drugstore
|
chemist's shop
|
drugstore, pharmacy
|
chest of drawers
|
dresser, chest of drawers, bureau
|
chips
|
fries, French fries
|
chips
|
French fries
|
cinema
|
movie theater; the movies
|
cling film
|
plastic wrap
|
clothes peg
|
clothespin
|
coffin
|
coffin, casket
|
common seal
|
harbor seal
|
consumer durables
|
durable goods
|
cornflour
|
cornstarch
|
cos (lettuce)
|
Romaine
|
cot
|
crib
|
cot death
|
crib death
|
cotton bud
|
cotton swab
|
cotton wool
|
absorbent cotton
|
council estate
|
(housing) project
|
courgette
|
zucchini
|
court card
|
face card
|
crash barrier
|
guardrail
|
crisps
|
potato chips
|
crisps
|
chips; potato chips
|
crocodile clip
|
alligator clip
|
cross-ply
|
bias-ply
|
crossroads
|
intersection; crossroads (rural)
|
crotchet (music)
|
quarter note
|
cupboard
|
cupboard (in kitchen); closet (for clothes etc)
|
current account
|
checking account
|
danger money
|
hazard pay
|
demister (in a car)
|
defroster
|
dialling tone
|
dial tone
|
diamante
|
rhinestone
|
diversion
|
detour
|
double cream
|
heavy cream
|
draughts (game)
|
checkers
|
drawing pin
|
thumbtack
|
drawing-pin
|
thumbtack
|
dressing gown
|
robe; bathrobe
|
drink-driving
|
drunk driving
|
drink-driving
|
drunk driving
|
drinks cupboard
|
liquor cabinet
|
drinks party
|
cocktail party
|
driving licence
|
driver's license
|
driving licence
|
driver’s license
|
dual carriageway
|
divided highway
|
dual carriageway
|
divided highway
|
dummy (for a baby)
|
pacifier
|
dummy (for baby)
|
pacifier
|
dust sheet
|
drop cloth
|
dustbin
|
garbage can, trash can
|
dustbin
|
garbage can
|
dustman
|
garbage collector
|
earth (electrical)
|
ground
|
engaged (of a phone)
|
busy
|
engine
|
engine, motor
|
estate agent
|
real estate agent
|
estate agent
|
real estate agent, realtor (trademark)
|
estate car
|
station wagon
|
estate car
|
station wagon
|
ex-directory
|
unlisted
|
faith school
|
parochial school
|
film
|
film, movie
|
financial year
|
fiscal year
|
fire brigade/service
|
fire company/department
|
first floor
|
second floor
|
fish finger
|
fish stick
|
fitted carpet
|
wall-to-wall carpeting
|
flannel
|
washcloth
|
flat
|
apartment, flat, studio
|
flat
|
apartment
|
flat tyre
|
flat tire
|
flexitime
|
flextime
|
flick knife
|
switchblade
|
flyover
|
overpass
|
flyover
|
overpass
|
football
|
soccer
|
footway
|
sidewalk
|
fringe (hair)
|
bangs
|
full board (in hotels)
|
American plan
|
full stop (punctuation)
|
period
|
garden
|
yard; lawn
|
gear lever
|
gearshift
|
gearbox (car)
|
transmission
|
gearing (finance)
|
leverage
|
gear-lever
|
gearshift
|
Girl Guide
|
Girl Scout
|
goods train
|
freight train
|
greaseproof paper
|
wax paper/waxed paper
|
green fingers
|
green thumb
|
grill (noun)
|
broiler
|
grill (verb)
|
broil
|
ground floor
|
ground/first floor
|
ground floor
|
first floor
|
groundsman
|
groundskeeper
|
hairslide
|
barrette
|
handbag
|
handbag, purse, shoulder bag
|
hatstand
|
hatrack
|
hen night
|
bachelorette party
|
high street
|
main street
|
hire purchase
|
installment plan
|
hoarding
|
billboard
|
hob
|
stovetop
|
holdall
|
carryall
|
holiday
|
vacation
|
holiday
|
vacation
|
holidaymaker
|
vacationer
|
homely
|
homey
|
hood (car)
|
convertible top
|
hosepipe
|
(garden) hose
|
hot flush
|
hot flash
|
housing estate
|
housing development
|
hundreds and thousands
|
sprinkles (for ice cream)
|
ice lolly
|
Popsicle (trademark)
|
icing sugar
|
confectioners’ sugar
|
in hospital
|
in the hospital
|
indicator (on a car)
|
turn signal
|
inside leg
|
inseam
|
jam
|
jam, preserves
|
jelly babies
|
jelly beans
|
Joe Bloggs
|
Joe Blow
|
Joe Public
|
John Q. Public
|
jug
|
jug, pitcher
|
juggernaut
|
18-wheeler
|
jumble sale
|
rummage sale
|
jump lead
|
jumper cable
|
jumper
|
sweater
|
junior school
|
elementary school
|
kennel
|
doghouse
|
ladybird
|
ladybug
|
level crossing
|
grade crossing
|
lift
|
elevator
|
lift
|
elevator
|
lollipop lady (or man)
|
crossing guard
|
lolly
|
Popsicle (trademark)
|
loo (toilet)
|
john
|
loose cover
|
slipcover
|
lorry
|
truck, semi, tractor
|
lorry
|
truck
|
loudhailer
|
bullhorn
|
low loader
|
flatbed truck
|
lucky dip
|
grab bag
|
luggage van
|
baggage car
|
mad
|
crazy, insane
|
main road
|
highway
|
maize
|
corn
|
maize
|
corn
|
mangetout
|
snow pea
|
market garden
|
truck farm
|
marshalling yard
|
railroad yard
|
maths
|
math
|
maths
|
math
|
metalled road
|
paved road
|
milometer
|
odometer
|
minim (music)
|
half note
|
mobile phone
|
cell phone
|
monkey tricks
|
monkeyshines
|
motorbike
|
motorcycle
|
motorway
|
freeway, expressway
|
motorway
|
highway, freeway, expressway, interstate highway,
interstate
|
motorway
|
expressway; highway
|
mum/mummy
|
mom/mommy
|
nappy
|
diaper
|
nappy
|
diaper
|
naughts and crosses
|
tic-tack-toe
|
needlecord
|
pinwale
|
newsreader
|
newscaster
|
noughts and crosses
|
tic-tac-toe
|
number plate
|
license plate
|
off-licence
|
liquor store; package store
|
opencast mining
|
open-pit mining
|
ordinary share
|
common stock
|
oven glove
|
oven mitt
|
paddling pool
|
wading pool
|
pants, underpants
|
underpants, drawers
|
paracetamol
|
acetaminophen
|
parting (in hair)
|
part
|
patience
|
solitaire
|
pavement
|
sidewalk
|
pavement
|
sidewalk
|
pay packet
|
pay envelope
|
pedestrian crossing
|
crosswalk
|
peg
|
clothespin
|
pelmet
|
valance
|
pet hate
|
pet peeve
|
petrol
|
gas, gasoline
|
petrol
|
gas; gasoline
|
physiotherapy
|
physical therapy
|
pinafore dress
|
jumper
|
plain chocolate
|
dark chocolate
|
plain flour
|
all-purpose flour
|
pocket money
|
allowance
|
polo neck
|
turtleneck
|
positive discrimination
|
reverse discrimination
|
post
|
mail
|
postal vote
|
absentee ballot
|
postbox
|
mailbox
|
postbox
|
mailbox
|
postcode
|
zip code
|
postcode
|
zip code
|
postman
|
mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier
|
potato crisp
|
potato chip
|
power point
|
electrical outlet
|
pram
|
baby carriage; stroller
|
press stud
|
snap
|
press-up
|
pushup
|
private soldier
|
GI
|
pub
|
bar
|
public school
|
private school
|
public toilet
|
rest room, public bathroom
|
public transport
|
public transportation
|
punchbag
|
punching bag
|
pushchair
|
stroller
|
pylon
|
utility pole
|
quantity surveyor
|
estimator
|
quaver (music)
|
eighth note
|
queue
|
line
|
racing car
|
race car
|
railway
|
railroad
|
railway
|
railroad
|
real tennis
|
court tennis
|
recorded delivery
|
certified mail
|
registration plate
|
license plate
|
remould (tyre)
|
retread
|
return (ticket)
|
round-trip
|
reverse charge
|
collect call
|
reverse the charges
|
call collect
|
reversing lights
|
back-up lights
|
right-angled triangle
|
right triangle
|
ring road
|
beltway, freeway/highway loop
|
ring road
|
beltway
|
road surface
|
pavement, blacktop
|
room only
|
European plan
|
roundabout
|
traffic circle, roundabout
|
roundabout (in road)
|
traffic circle
|
roundabout (at a fair)
|
carousel
|
rowing boat
|
rowboat
|
rubber
|
eraser
|
rubbish
|
garbage, trash
|
rubbish-bin
|
garbage can, trashcan
|
sailing boat
|
sailboat
|
saloon (car)
|
sedan
|
saloon (car)
|
sedan
|
sandpit
|
sandbox
|
sandwich cake
|
layer cake
|
sanitary towel
|
sanitary napkin
|
self-raising flour
|
self-rising flour
|
semibreve (music)
|
whole note
|
semitone (music)
|
half step
|
share option
|
stock option
|
shop
|
shop, store
|
shopping trolley
|
shopping cart
|
show house/home
|
model home
|
silencer (on a car)
|
muffler
|
silencer (car)
|
muffler
|
silverside
|
rump roast
|
single (ticket)
|
one-way
|
skeleton in the cupboard
|
skeleton in the closet
|
skimmed milk
|
skim milk
|
skipping rope
|
jump rope
|
skirting board
|
baseboard
|
sledge
|
sled
|
sleeper
|
railroad tie
|
sleeping partner
|
silent partner
|
slowcoach
|
slowpoke
|
snakes and ladders
|
chutes and ladders
|
solicitor
|
lawyer, attorney
|
solicitor
|
lawyer
|
soya/soya bean
|
soy/soybean
|
spanner
|
wrench
|
splashback
|
backsplash
|
spring onion
|
green onion
|
stag night
|
bachelor party
|
Stanley knife
|
utility knife
|
starter
|
appetizer
|
state school
|
public school
|
storm in a teacup
|
tempest in a teapot
|
surtitle
|
supertitle
|
swede
|
rutabaga
|
sweet(s)
|
candy
|
sweets
|
candy
|
takeaway (food)
|
takeout; to go
|
taxi
|
taxi, taxi cab
|
taxi rank
|
taxi stand
|
tea towel
|
dish towel
|
tea towel
|
dish towel
|
telly (informal), TV
|
television, TV
|
terrace house
|
row house
|
the cinema
|
the movies
|
The Plough
|
Big Dipper
|
third-party insurance
|
liability insurance
|
tick
|
check mark
|
ticket tout
|
scalper
|
tights
|
pantyhose
|
timber
|
lumber
|
timetable
|
schedule
|
tin
|
can
|
titbit
|
tidbit
|
toffee apple
|
candy apple
|
toll motorway
|
toll road, turnpike
|
torch
|
flashlight
|
touch wood
|
knock on wood
|
trade union
|
labor union
|
trading estate
|
industrial park
|
trainers
|
sneakers
|
tram
|
streetcar; cable car
|
transport cafe
|
truck stop
|
trolley
|
shopping cart
|
trousers
|
pants, trousers
|
tube (train)
|
subway
|
twelve-bore
|
twelve-gauge
|
unalike
|
unlike
|
underground
|
subway
|
underground (train)
|
subway
|
vacuum flask
|
thermos bottle
|
verge (of a road)
|
shoulder
|
vest
|
undershirt
|
vest
|
undershirt
|
veterinary surgeon
|
veterinarian
|
wagon (on a train)
|
car
|
waistcoat
|
vest
|
waistcoat
|
vest
|
walking frame
|
walker
|
wallet
|
wallet, billfold
|
wardrobe
|
closet
|
water ice
|
Italian ice
|
weatherboard
|
clapboard
|
wellington boots
|
rubber boots, rain boots
|
whisky
|
whisky/whiskey
|
white coffee
|
coffee with cream
|
white spirit
|
mineral spirits
|
wholemeal bread
|
wholewheat bread
|
windcheater
|
windbreaker
|
windscreen
|
windshield
|
windscreen
|
windshield
|
wing (of a car)
|
fender
|
worktop
|
countertop
|
Yale lock
|
cylinder lock
|
zebra crossing
|
crosswalk
|
zed (letter Z)
|
zee
|
zip
|
zipper
|
zip
|
zipper
|
