British and American English spelling differences

British and American English differentiate


British English and American English are two standard forms of the English language that originated from the two dominant cultural and linguistic influences of the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively. While the two varieties of English are largely the same in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, there are some differences in pronunciation, spelling, and word usage.

Some of the notable differences between British and American English include:

1. Pronunciation: British English tends to be more pronounced and formal, with some vowel sounds being pronounced differently than in American English. For example, in British English, the vowel sound in "cot" and "caught" is pronounced differently, while in American English, they are pronounced the same.

2. Spelling: There are some differences in spelling between British and American English. For example, British English uses the spelling "colour," while American English spells it "color." British English also tends to use the spelling "grey," while American English uses "gray."

3. Vocabulary: There are some differences in vocabulary between British and American English. For example, in British English, a biscuit is a small, sweet, baked treat, while in American English, a biscuit is a type of bread. In British English, a lift is an elevator, while in American English, it is a device used to move heavy objects.

4. Word usage: There are also some differences in word usage between British and American English. For example, in British English, "travelling" is the present participle of the verb "to travel," while in American English, "traveling" is used. In British English, "maths" is the abbreviation for "mathematics," while in American English, "math" is used.

Overall, while British and American English have some differences, they are still largely the same language and can be understood by speakers of both varieties.


British EnglishAmerican English

Aeroplane ⸻ Airplane

Angry ⸻ Incensed

Anticlockwise ⸻ counter

Appetizer ⸻ starter

Aubergine ⸻ eggplant

Analyse ⸻ Analyze

Autumn ⸻ Fall

Boot ⸻ Shoe

Bylaw ⸻ Ordinance

Bank holiday ⸻ Legal holiday

Bowler ⸻ Derby

Braces ⸻ Suspenders

Bonnet ⸻ Hood

Biscuit ⸻ cookie

Braces ⸻ suspenders

Boot ⸻ Truck
British and American English spelling differences

British and American English differences list


Catalogue ⸻ Catalog

Cutting ⸻ Clipping

Caretaker ⸻ Janitor

Centre ⸻ Center

Cookery book ⸻ Cookbook

Cheque ⸻ Cheek

Colour ⸻ Color

Corn ⸻ Grain

Chicory ⸻ Endive

Commercial traveller ⸻ Traveling salesman

Candyfloss ⸻ cotton 

Car park ⸻ parking lot

Chips ⸻ French fries

Cot ⸻ Crib

Courgette ⸻ Zucchini

Crisps ⸻ Chips

Chemist ⸻ Druggist

Cannon ⸻ Carom

Cooker ⸻ Oven

Council school ⸻ Public school

Cupboard ⸻ Closet

Defence ⸻ Defense

Dust cart ⸻ Garbage truck

Draper's shop ⸻ Dry goods store

Dustbin ⸻ Garbage can

Draughts ⸻ Checkers

Drawing- pin ⸻ Thum- tack

Dummy ⸻ Pacifier

Ex - service man ⸻ veteran

Fellow ⸻ Guy

Film ⸻ Movie

Flannel ⸻ Washcloth

Football ⸻ Soccer

Fringe ⸻ Bangs

Fruit machine ⸻ Slot machine

Flat ⸻ Apartment

Fancy goods ⸻ Notions

Ground floor ⸻ First floor

Grill ⸻ Broil/broiler

Grey ⸻ Gray

Galoshes ⸻ Rubbers

Guard ⸻ Conductor

British and American English spelling differences exercise


Honour ⸻ Honor

Holiday ⸻ Vacation

Hire purchase ⸻ Buying on time

Hoarding ⸻ Billboard

Hairslide ⸻ Barrette

Ironmonger ⸻ Hardware dealer

Inland ⸻ Internal

Jewellery ⸻ Jewelry

Jumper ⸻ Sweater

Jug ⸻ Pitcher

Lift ⸻ Elevator

Lorry ⸻ Truck

Labour ⸻ Labor

Litre ⸻ Liter

Lorry ⸻ Truck

Level crossing ⸻ Grade crossing

Mad ⸻ Crazy

Main road ⸻ Highway

Monday to Sunday ⸻ Monday through Sunday

Metre ⸻ Meter

Mobile phone ⸻ Cell phone

Market gardener ⸻ Truck farmer

Men's hairdresser ⸻ Barber

Number plate ⸻ License plate

Nappy ⸻ Diaper

Nine - pins ⸻ Ten - pins

Note ⸻ Bill

Oven glove ⸻ Oven mitt

Paralyse ⸻ Paralyze

Practise ⸻ Practice

Programme ⸻ Program

Pavement ⸻ Sidewalk

Petrol ⸻ Gas/ Gasoline

Post ⸻ Mail

Parting ⸻ Part

Postbox ⸻ Mailbox

Pig breeding ⸻ Hog raising

Postcode ⸻ Zip code

Pyjamas ⸻ Pajamas

Prison van ⸻ Patrol wagon

Public school ⸻ Private school

Paraffin ⸻ Kerosene

Press cutting agency ⸻ Clipping service

Signal- box ⸻ Switch- tower

Silencer ⸻ Muffler

Sleeper ⸻ Cross- tie

Shooting ⸻ Hunting

Saloon ⸻ Sedan

Difference between British and American English spelling


Queue ⸻ Line

Railway ⸻ Railroad

Rubber ⸻ Eraser

Return ticket ⸻ Round-trip ticket

Rubbish ⸻ Garbage

Realise ⸻ Realize

Receptionist ⸻ Desk clerk

Shop ⸻ Store

Sweets ⸻ Candy

Skilful ⸻ Skillful

Scone ⸻ Biscuit

Slot machine ⸻ Vending Machine

Street vendor ⸻ Peddler

Shop- walker ⸻ Floor- walker

Sleeping partner ⸻ Silent partner

Single ticket ⸻ One-way ticket

Tap ⸻ Faucet

Taxi ⸻ Cab

Timetable ⸻ Schedule

Tram ⸻ Street- car

Telly ⸻ TV

Terminus ⸻ Terminal

Touch lines ⸻ side lines

Tin ⸻ Can

Toilet ⸻ Restroom

Torch ⸻ Flashlight

Tap ⸻ Faucet

Trousers ⸻ Pants

Theatre ⸻ Theater

Traveller ⸻ Traveler

Tyre ⸻ Tire

Treacle ⸻ Molasses

Timber ⸻ Lumber

Underground ⸻ Subway

Undercut ⸻ Tenderloin

Vest ⸻ Undershirt

Veranda ⸻ Porch

Van ⸻ Delivery truck

Waistcoat ⸻ Vest

Waste- paper basket ⸻ Waste- basket

Witness box ⸻ Witness stand
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