A to Z American and British English Words! Here is a useful list of different vocabulary words and Phrases that are used in British and American English separately. Learning American and British English words can improve your English vocabulary and speaking skills.
These words have different pronunciations and meanings. Stay with us and learn these words and improve your English speaking and conversation skills. We’ve made a complete PDF file for this lesson, you can download it from the bottom of this page.
Difference between American and British Grammar
American vs British English are mostly the same, but they have some differences in grammar, words, spelling, and pronunciation. Learning these differences can help us to understand both versions of English.
1. Collective Nouns: In British English, collective nouns can be singular or plural, depending on the group’s nature, while in American English, they are typically singular.
For example:
- British English: The team is playing well today.
- American English: The team is playing well today.
2. Past tense of get: In British English, “get” is past tense “got” and past participle “got” or “gotten” when used with “have,” while in American English, it is past tense “got” and past participle “gotten.”
- British English: I’ve got a new job. / I’ve gotten a new job.
- American English: I’ve gotten a new job.
3. Prepositions in British and American English have some variations.
- British English: She studied at university.
- American English: She studied in college.
4. British English frequently uses the present perfect tense to describe past events relevant to the present, while American English may use the simple past in similar situations.
- British English: Have you eaten dinner yet?
- American English: Did you eat dinner yet?
5. Use of auxiliary verbs: In British English, “have” is used alongside “got,” while in American English, it is frequently dropped in informal speech.
- British English: I’ve got a new car.
- American English: I got a new car. (informal)
6. Spelling differences affecting grammar: Spelling differences between British and American English can result in minor grammatical differences.
For example:
- British English: I will practise my piano lesson.
- American English: I will practice my piano lesson.
7. British English typically uses the informal ‘Shall’ utterance, while Americans prefer the ‘Will’ utterance.
Difference between British and American Pronunciation
The American (GA) and British (GB) languages differ primarily in the absence of the ‘r’ alphabet, which is only pronounced after a vowel sound. American and British pronunciations differ significantly, with the British standard omitting the ‘r’ alphabet if followed by a vowel sound, resulting in different pronunciations.
A to Z American and British English Words
British English | American English |
Eggy Bread | (Fried) French Toast |
Crisps | (Potato) Chips |
A Mark | A grade, Point |
A Full Stop | A Period |
Rasher | A Slice of Bacon |
Aeroplane | Airplane |
Pocket Money | Allowance |
An Exclamation Mark | An Exclamation Point |
Block of Flats | Apartment Building, Apartment House |
Starter | Appetizer |
Rocket | Arugula |
Solicitor | Attorney at Law |
Pram | Baby Carriage |
Dummy For | Baby Pacifier |
Rucksack | Backpack |
Plaster | Band-Aid |
Dressing Gown | Bath Rope |
Bath | Bath Tub |
Swimming Costume | Bathing Suit |
Dressing Gown | Bathrobe |
Loo | Bathroom, Restroom |
Beetroot | Beet |
Pepper | Bell Pepper |
Scone | Biscuit |
Indicator | Blinker (Turn signal) |
Rubber | Boot |
Wellington | Boots, Wellies |
Square Brackets | Brackets |
Mid-morning Meal | Brunch |
Mate | Buddy |
Tin | Can |
Sweets | Candy |
Mobile Phone | Cell Phone |
Draughts | Checkers |
Coriander | Cilantro |
Module | Class |
Clothes peg | Clothespin |
Icing Sugar | Confectioner’s Sugar |
Biscuit | Cookie |
US and UK English Vocabulary
British English | American English |
Maize | Corn |
Candyfloss | Cotton Candy |
Anti Clockwise | Counter-Clockwise |
Semolina | Cream of Wheat, Manna |
Zebra Crossing | Cross Walk |
Lollipop Man/Lady | Crossing Guard |
Fairy Cake | Cup Cake |
Curly Brackets | Curly Braces |
Bureau De Change | Currency Exchange |
Pudding | Dessert |
Diversion | Detour |
Nappy | Diaper |
Tea Towel/ Tea Cloth | Dish Towel |
Dual Carriageway | Divided Highway |
Driving Licence | Driver’s License |
Chemist’s Shop | Drugstore |
Chemist’s | Drugstore/ Pharmacy |
Aubergine | Eggplant |
Primary School | Elementary School |
Rubber | Eraser |
Dear | Expensive |
(Academic) Staff | Faculty |
Autumn | Fall |
Autumn Term | Fall Semester |
British and American English Words
British English | American English |
Bum Bag | Fanny Pack |
Pitch | Field |
Fire Brigade | Fire Department |
Fire Engine | Fire Truck |
Food, Grub, Nosh | Food |
Motorway | Freeway, Highway |
Chips | French Fries |
Flan | Fruit Pie |
Professor | Full Professor |
Car Boot Sale | Garage Sale |
Rubbish | Garbage (Trash) |
Dustbin Man | Garbage Collector |
Dustman | Garbage man |
Rubbish | Garbage, Trash |
Petrol | Gas, Gasoline |
Gear Lever | Gear Shift |
Girl, Lass | Girl |
Level Crossing | Grade Crossing |
Muesli | Granola |
Runner Beans | Green Beans, String Beans |
Spring Onions | Green Onions |
Toasted Cheese (Sandwich) | Grilled Cheese |
Minced Meat | Ground Meat |
Chap | Guy |
Plimsolls | Gym Shoes |
Gammon | Ham |
Bonnet | Hat |
College High School | High School |
Bonnet | Hood |
School Dinner | Hot Lunch |
Crossroads | Intersection, crossroads |
American and British Words List A to Z
British English | American English |
Caretaker | Janitor |
Squash | Juice Concentrate |
Ladybird | Ladybug |
Solicitor | Lawyer, Attorney |
Number plate | License Plate |
Broad Bean | Lima Bean |
Queue | Line |
Smoked Salmon | Lox |
Post | |
Postman | Mailman |
High Street | Main Street |
Maths | Math |
Black Treacle | Molasses |
Mum, Mummy | Mom, Mommy, Ma |
Motorbike | Motorcycle |
Film | Movie |
Cinema | Movie Theater |
Silencer (car) | Muffler |
Serviette | Napkin |
Self- Catering | No Meals Included |
Nil (Sport) | Nothing, Zero |
Porridge | Oatmeal |
Bungalow | One Story House |
A single ticket | One way ticket |
Open Day/ Evening | Open House |
Dungarees | Overalls |
American and British English Words
British English | American English |
Flyover | Overpass |
Dummy for Baby | Pacifier |
Parcel | Package |
Pyjamas | Pajamas |
Trousers | Pants |
Round Brackets | Parentheses |
Car park | Parking lot |
Road Surface | Pavement |
Full Stop | Period |
Pet Hate | Pet Peeve |
Phone Box | Phone Booth |
Gherkin | Pickle |
Spot | Pimple |
Drawing | Pin- Thumbtack |
Jug | Pitcher |
Cling Film | Plastic Wrap |
Policeman | Police Officer |
Ice lolly | Popsicle |
Crisps | Potato Chips |
Headmaster | Principal |
Invigilate | Proctor |
Railway | Railroad |
Cooker | Range, Stove |
Play, Break Time | Recess |
Public Toilet | Restroom |
Curriculum Vitae/ CV | Resume |
Hench | Ripped |
Car Journey/ Drive | Road trip |
Roadworks | Roadwork |
Packed Lunch | Sach, Bag Lunch |
Packed Lunch | Sack Lunch |
Sandwich, Butty, Sarnie | Sandwich |
Pilchards | Sardines |
Sausage, Banger | Sausage |
Timetable | Schedule |
Sorbet | Sherbet |
Bootlace, Shoelace | Shoestring |
Trolley | Shopping Cart |
Desiccated Coconut | Shredded Coconut |
Pavement | Side Walk |
Sideboards | Sideburns |
Cutlery | Silverware |
Kipper | Smoked Herring |
Trainers | Sneakers |
Football | Soccer |
Fizzy Drink | Soda Pop |
Sleeping Policeman, Speed Bump | Speedbump |
Pitch | Sports Field |
Spring Term | Spring Semester |
Marrow | Squash |
Estate car | Station Wagon |
Sellotape | Sticky Tape, Scotch Tape |
Powdered | Sugar |
UK vs US English Words
British English | American English |
Braces | Suspenders |
Set of Points | Switch |
Takeaway | Takeout |
Staff Room | Teacher’s Lounge |
Cashier | Teller |
Exam | Test |
Noughts and Crosses | Tic Tac Toe |
Draw | Tie |
Tyre | Tire |
Platform | Track |
Roundabout (road) | Traffic Circle |
Traffic Jam, Tailback | Traffic Jam |
Caravan | Trailer |
Gearbox | Transmission |
Bin/ Dust Bin | Trash Can |
Lorry | Truck |
Polo Neck | Turtle Neck |
Telly | TV (Television) |
Underwear, Knickers | Underwear, Panties |
Kit | Uniform |
Holiday | Vacation |
Waistcoat | Vest |
Tippex | White Out |
Windscreen | Windshield |
Spanner | Wrench |
Jumble Sale | Yard Sale |
Zed | Zee |
Postcode | Zip code |
Zip | Zipper |
Courgette | Zucchini |
Download the complete PDF file for this lesson.