English Club : Learn English : Vocabulary : British English/American English Vocabulary

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.

British EnglishAmerican English
anti-clockwisecounter-clockwise
articulated lorrytrailer truck
autumnautumn, fall
barristerattorney
bill (restaurant)bill, check
biscuitcookie
block of flatsapartment building
bonnet (clothing)hat
bonnet (car)hood
boottrunk
bumper (car)bumper, fender
caravantrailer
car parkparking lot
chemist's shopdrugstore, pharmacy
chest of drawersdresser, chest of drawers, bureau
chipsfries, French fries
the cinemathe movies
clothes pegclothespin
coffincoffin, casket
crispspotato chips
crossroadsintersection; crossroads (rural)
cupboardcupboard (in kitchen); closet (for clothes etc)
diversiondetour
drawing-pinthumbtack
drink-drivingdrunk driving
driving licencedriver's license
dual carriagewaydivided highway
dummy (for baby)pacifier
dustbingarbage can, trash can
dustmangarbage collector
engineengine, motor
estate agentreal estate agent
estate carstation wagon
filmfilm, movie
flatapartment, flat, studio
flat tyreflat tire
flyoveroverpass
gearbox (car)transmission
gear-levergearshift
Girl GuideGirl Scout
ground floorground/first floor
handbaghandbag, purse, shoulder bag
high streetmain street
holidayvacation
hood (car)convertible top
jamjam, preserves
jugjug, pitcher
juggernaut18-wheeler
liftelevator
lorrytruck, semi, tractor
madcrazy, insane
main roadhighway
maizecorn
mathsmath
motorbikemotorcycle
motorwayfreeway, expressway
motorwayhighway, freeway, expressway, interstate highway, interstate
nappydiaper
naughts and crossestic-tack-toe
pants, underpantsunderpants, drawers
pavementsidewalk
pet hate pet peeve
petrolgas, gasoline
The PloughBig Dipper
pocket moneyallowance
postmail
postboxmailbox
postcodezip code
postmanmailman, mail carrier, letter carrier
pubbar
public toiletrest room, public bathroom
railwayrailroad
return (ticket)round-trip
reverse chargecollect call
ring roadbeltway, freeway/highway loop
road surfacepavement, blacktop
roundabouttraffic circle, roundabout
rubbereraser
rubbishgarbage, trash
rubbish-bingarbage can, trashcan
saloon (car)sedan
shopshop, store
silencer (car)muffler
single (ticket)one-way
solicitorlawyer, attorney
spannerwrench
sweetscandy
taxitaxi, taxi cab
tea toweldish towel
telly (informal), TVtelevision, TV
third-party insuranceliability insurance
timetableschedule
tincan
toll motorwaytoll road, turnpike
torchflashlight
trouserspants, trousers
tube (train)subway
underground (train)subway
vestundershirt
waistcoatvest
walletwallet, billfold
wellington bootsrubber boots, rain boots
whiskywhisky/whiskey
windscreenwindshield
zipzipper