(c for noun, s for verb)
(c for noun, s for verb)
(s for noun or verb)
British / Canadian / American Vocabulary |
Here are some of the differences in vocabulary between British and American English. This list is not, of course, complete. There are also some differences in spelling.
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| British | Canadian | American |
| angry/cross | angry/upset | mad |
| anywhere | anywhere | anyplace |
| autumn | autumn/fall | fall |
| barrister | lawyer | attorney |
| beeper, pager | pager | beeper |
| bill (restaurant) | bill | check |
| biscuit | cookie | cookie |
| block of flats | apartment block | apartment building |
| bonnet | hood | hood |
| boot (of car) | trunk (of car) | trunk (of automobile) |
| car | car | automobile |
| caravan | trailer | trailer |
| chemist | pharmacy | drug store |
| chest of drawers | chest of drawers | bureau |
| chips | French fries/chips | French fries |
| chocolate bar | chocolate bar | candy bar |
| the cinema | movies | the movies |
| clothes peg | clothes peg | clothespin |
| coffin | coffin | casket |
| condom | condom | rubber |
| crisps | potato chips | potato chips |
| crossroads | intersection | intersection |
| cupboard | cupboard | closet |
| cutlery | cutlery | silverware |
| diversion | diversion, detour | detour |
| drawing-pin | thumbtack | thumbtack |
| driving licence (c for noun, s for verb) |
driver's licence (c for noun, s for verb) |
driver's license (s for noun or verb) |
| dummy (for babies) | pacifier | pacifier |
| dustbin | garbage can, trash can | ashcan, garbage can, trashcan |
| dustman | garbageman | garbage collector |
| engine | engine | motor |
| estate agent | real estate agent | realtor |
| film | movie | movie |
| flat | apartment | apartment |
| flat tyre | flat tire | flat |
| flyover | overpass | overpass |
| galoshes | galoshes | toe rubbers |
| gear-lever | gearshift | gearshift |
| Girl Guide | Girl Guide | Girl Scout |
| ground floor | ground floor, main floor | first floor |
| handbag | handbag | purse |
| holiday | holiday | vacation |
| jam | jam | jelly |
| jeans | jeans | blue jeans |
| jug | jug | pitcher |
| lift | elevator | elevator |
| lorry | truck | truck |
| luggage | luggage | baggage |
| mad | mad | crazy |
| main road | main road, main thoroughfare | highway |
| maize | corn | corn |
| maths | math | math |
| mobile (phone) | cellular phone | cellular |
| motorbike | motorbike, motorcycle | motorcycle |
| motorway | highway, thoroughfare | freeway, expressway |
| motorway | freeway | freeway |
| napkin | serviette, table napkin | napkin |
| nappy | diaper | diaper |
| naughts and crosses | tick-tack-toe | tic-tack-toe |
| pants | shorts | shorts |
| pavement | sidewalk, pavement | sidewalk |
| petrol | gas, gasoline | gas, gasoline |
| The Plough | Big Dipper | Big Dipper |
| pocket money | pocket money | allowance |
| post | mail, post | |
| postbox | mailbox, post-box | mailbox |
| postcode | postal code | zip code |
| postman | mailman, letter carrier | mailman |
| pub | bar, pub | bar |
| public toilet | bathroom | rest room |
| puncture | flat | flat |
| railway | railway | railroad |
| return (ticket) | return | round-trip |
| reverse charge | collect call, reverse the charges | call collect |
| ring road | ring road | beltway |
| road surface | road surface, asphalt | pavement |
| roundabout | roundabout | traffic circle |
| rubber | eraser | eraser |
| rubbish | garbage, trash, refuse | garbage, trash |
| rubbish-bin | garbage can, trashcan | garbage can, trashcan |
| saloon (car) | sedan (car) | sedan (automobile) |
| shop | shop, store | store |
| single (ticket) | one-way (ticket) | one-way |
| solicitor | lawyer | attorney |
| somewhere | somewhere | someplace |
| spanner | wrench | wrench |
| spirits | spirits | hard liquor |
| suspenders | suspenders | garters |
| sweets | candy, sweets | candy |
| tap (indoors) | tap (indoors) | faucet |
| tap (outdoors) | tap (outdoors) | spigot |
| taxi | taxi | cab |
| tea-towel | dish-towel | dish-towel |
| telly, TV | TV | TV |
| third-party insurance | third-party insurance | liability insurance |
| timetable | schedule | schedule |
| tin | tin can | can |
| toll motorway | toll highway | turnpike |
| torch | flashlight | flashlight |
| trousers | trousers | pants |
| tube (train) | subway, metro | subway |
| underground (train) | subway, metro | subway |
| underpants | shorts | shorts |
| van | truck | truck |
| vest | undershirt | undershirt |
| waistcoat | vest | vest |
| wallet | wallet | billfold |
| wellington boots | rubber boots | rubbers |
| whisky | whisky, scotch | whiskey, scotch |
| windscreen | windshield | windshield |
| wing (of car) | fender | fender |
| zip | zipper | zipper |
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