British vs American Vocabulary
Here are some of the main differences in vocabulary between British and
American English. This document 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.
anti-clockwise
|
counter-clockwise
|
articulated lorry
|
trailer truck
|
autumn
|
autumn, fall
|
barrister
|
attorney
|
bill (restaurant)
|
bill, check
|
biscuit
|
cookie
|
block of flats
|
apartment building
|
bonnet (car)
|
hood
|
bonnet (clothing)
|
hat
|
boot
|
trunk
|
car park
|
parking lot
|
caravan
|
trailer
|
chemist's shop
|
drugstore, pharmacy
|
chest of drawers
|
dresser, chest
of drawers, bureau
|
chips
|
fries, French fries
|
cinema, the
|
movies, the
|
clothes peg
|
clothespin
|
coffin
|
coffin, casket
|
crisps
|
potato 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
|
film
|
film, movie
|
flat
|
apartment, flat, studio
|
flat tyre
|
flat tire
|
flyover
|
overpass
|
gear-lever
|
gearshift
|
gearbox (car)
|
transmission
|
Girl Guide
|
Girl Scout
|
ground floor
|
ground/first floor
|
handbag
|
handbag, purse, shoulder bag
|
high street
|
main street
|
holiday
|
vacation
|
hood (car)
|
convertible top
|
jam
|
jam, preserves
|
jug
|
jug, pitcher
|
juggernaut
|
18-wheeler
|
lift
|
elevator
|
lorry
|
truck, semi, tractor
|
mad
|
crazy, insane
|
main road
|
highway
|
maize
|
corn
|
maths
|
math
|
motorbike
|
motorcycle
|
| |
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
|
Plough, the
|
Big Dipper, the
|
pocket money
|
allowance
|
post
|
mail
|
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
|
shop
|
shop, store
|
silencer (car)
|
muffler
|
single (ticket)
|
one-way
|
solicitor
|
lawyer, attorney
|
spanner
|
wrench
|
sweets
|
candy
|
taxi
|
taxi, taxi cab
|
tea towel
|
dish towel
|
telly (informal), TV
|
television, TV
|
third-party insurance
|
liability insurance
|
timetable
|
schedule
|
tin
|
can
|
toll motorway
|
toll road, turnpike
|
torch
|
flashlight
|
trousers
|
pants, trousers
|
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
|
|
