British English / American English Vocabulary.

Here are some of the main differences in vocabulary between British and American English. This page 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.

British English VS American English

British English	American English
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 (clothing)	hat
bonnet (car)	hood
boot	trunk
bumper (car)	bumper, fender
caravan	trailer
car park	parking lot
chemist's shop	drugstore, pharmacy
chest of drawers	dresser, chest of drawers, bureau
chips	fries, French fries
the cinema	the movies
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
gearbox (car)	transmission
gear-lever	gearshift
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	freeway, expressway
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
The Plough	Big Dipper
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	whiskey, scotch
windscreen	windshield
zip	zipper

American and British vocabulary.

There are differences between British and American English – but there are also regional differences in British and American dialects. If you spot something that you think is strange, or if you have an alternative for any of the words, please let us know!
In the list below, the first expression is always British English.

Houses.

Washing up liquid = Dish soap

Hoover = Vacuum cleaner

Washing powder = Laundry soap

Clothes peg = Clothes pin

Fridge = Fridge / Refrigerator

Living room / lounge = Living room / Den

Chest of drawers = Bureau

Wardrobe = Closet

Armchair = Easy chair

Larder / pantry = Pantry

Oven = Oven / stove