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