Have you ever noticed how people in the U.S. say “apartment” while those in the U.K. say “flat”? That’s just one of many fun differences in American vs British words! In this post, you’ll explore a variety of everyday words that change depending on where English is spoken. Whether you’re just starting to learn English or want to sound more like a local, this guide will help you understand and enjoy the unique vocabulary used in both American and British English.
American Vs British Words
| American English | British English |
| Apartment | Flat |
| Elevator | Lift |
| Truck | Lorry |
| Candy | Sweets |
| Diaper | Nappy |
| Cookie | Biscuit |
| Flashlight | Torch |
| Faucet | Tap |
| Gasoline | Petrol |
| Soccer | Football |
| Trash | Rubbish |
| Sweater | Jumper |
| French fries | Chips |
| Chips | Crisps |
| Eraser | Rubber |
| Vacation | Holiday |
| Movie | Film |
| Pants | Trousers |
| Sidewalk | Pavement |
| Sneakers | Trainers |
| Post | |
| Zip code | Postcode |
| Stove | Cooker |
| Yard | Garden |
| Attorney | Barrister |
| Bill (restaurant) | Check (restaurant) |
| Potato chips | Crisps |
| Bathroom | Loo |
| Pacifier | Dummy |
| Drugstore | Chemist |
| Schedule | Timetable |
| Cookie | Biscuit |
| Fall | Autumn |
| Check | Cheque |
| Line | Queue |
| Overpass | Flyover |
| Highway | Motorway |
| Subway | Underground |
| Apartment | Flat |
| Closet | Wardrobe |
| Faucet | Tap |
| Counterclockwise | Anticlockwise |
| Trash can | Bin |
| Mailbox | Postbox |
| Truck | Lorry |
| Bonnet (car) | Hood (car) |
| Trunk (car) | Boot (car) |
| Cookie | Biscuit |
| Candy | Sweets |
| Railroad | Railway |
| Line | Queue |
| Math | Math |
| Check (money) | Cheque |
| Restroom | Toilet |
| Corn | Maize |
| Underwear | Pants |
| Sneakers | Trainers |
| Gas station | Petrol station |
| Band-Aid | Plaster |
| License plate | Number plate |
| Flashlight | Torch |
| Vacation | Holiday |
| Movie theater | Cinema |
| Round trip | Return (ticket) |
| First floor | Ground floor |
| Truck | Lorry |
| Scotch tape | Sellotape |
| Zip code | Postcode |
| Cellular phone | Mobile phone |
| Hood (car) | Bonnet (car) |
| Stroller | Pushchair |
| Drugstore | Chemist |
| Jelly | Jam |
| Pants | Trousers |
| Sweater | Jumper |
| Suspenders | Braces |
| Baby carriage | Pram |
| Parking lot | Car park |
| Potato chips | Crisps |
| Counterclockwise | Anticlockwise |
| Eggplant | Aubergine |
| Cookie | Biscuit |
| Apartment | Flat |
| Elevator | Lift |
| Trash can | Bin |
| Faucet | Tap |
| Diaper | Nappy |
| Gasoline | Petrol |
| Soccer | Football |
| Truck | Lorry |
| Candy | Sweets |
| Flashlight | Torch |
| Sidewalk | Pavement |
| French fries | Chips |
| Eraser | Rubber |
| Vacation | Holiday |
| Cookie | Biscuit |
| Pants | Trousers |
| Post |
American to British English Matching Exercise
Instructions: Match the American English words in Column A with their British English equivalents in Column B.
| Column A (American English) | Column B (British English) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Elevator | a. Flat | |
| 2. Truck | b. Biscuit | |
| 3. Apartment | c. Rubbish | |
| 4. Cookie | d. Lorry | |
| 5. Trash | e. Lift | |
| 6. Diaper | f. Tap | |
| 7. Faucet | g. Jumper | |
| 8. Sweater | h. Post | |
| 9. Mail | i. Dummy | |
| 10. Pacifier | j. Nappy |
Answer :
1 → e
2 → d
3 → a
4 → b
5 → c
6 → j
7 → f
8 → g
9 → h
10 → i
British to American English Matching Exercise
Instructions: Match the British English words in Column A with their American English equivalents in Column B.
| Column A (British English) | Column B (American English) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Flat | a. Cookie | |
| 2. Lorry | b. Truck | |
| 3. Biscuit | c. Elevator | |
| 4. Lift | d. Trash | |
| 5. Rubbish | e. Apartment | |
| 6. Tap | f. Sweater | |
| 7. Jumper | g. Diaper | |
| 8. Nappy | h. Pacifier | |
| 9. Dummy | i. Mail | |
| 10. Post | j. Faucet |
Answer Key:
1 → e
2 → b
3 → a
4 → c
5 → d
6 → j
7 → f
8 → g
9 → h
10 → i
FAQs on American Vs British Words
1. What are American English words?
American English words are the vocabulary and spelling commonly used in the United States. For example, “color,” “truck,” and “apartment” are all American English words.
2. Is it S or Z in British English?
In British English, many words that use “z” in American English are spelled with an “s.” For example:
-
American: organize, realize, recognize
-
British: organise, realise, recognise
3. Is “sweets” American or British?
“Sweets” is a British English word. In American English, the same word is usually “candy.”
4. How to identify British and American English?
You can identify British and American English by differences in spelling, vocabulary, and even grammar. For example:
-
British: flat, lorry, colour
-
American: apartment, truck, color
5. What is USA in words?
USA stands for the United States of America, which is a country in North America. The form of English used there is called American English.
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