British and American English are two major variants of the English language that have developed over time due to historical, cultural, and geographical factors. While they share a vast majority of vocabulary, there are some differences in spelling, pronunciation, and word usage.
British vs American English Vocabulary List
here's a list of words in American English and their corresponding British English equivalents from A to Z:
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| A | |
| aerial | antenna |
| angry | mad |
| anywhere | anyplace |
| autumn | fall |
| at the weekend | on the weekend |
| aubergine | eggplant |
| B | |
| bill | check |
| barrister, solicitor | attorney |
| biscuit | cookie |
| bonnet | hood |
| boot | trunk |
| braces | suspenders |
| block of flats | apartment building |
| C | |
| caretaker | janitor |
| chemist's | drug store |
| chips | french fries |
| the cinema | the movies |
| constable | patrolman |
| cooker | stove |
| corn, wheat | wheat |
| cot (Baby) | crib |
| cotton | thread |
| crossroads | intersection |
| curtains | drapes |
| car park | parking lot |
| caravan | trailer |
| city centre | downtown, city center |
| D | |
| draught | draft |
| draughts | checkers |
| drawing pin | thumbtack |
| dual carriageway | divided highway |
| dummy | pacifier |
| dustbin | trashccan, garbage can |
| dustman | garbage collector |
| dynamo | generator |
| E | |
| engine | motor |
| engine driver | engineer |
| engaged | busy |
| everywhere | everyplace, everywhere |
| expiry date | expiration date |
| F | |
| film | movie |
| flat | apartment |
| flyover | overpass |
| football | soccer |
| full stop | period |
| G | |
| garden | yard |
| gear-lever | gear-shift |
| graduate | alumnus |
| ground floor | first floor |
| Girl Guide | Girl Scout |
| H | |
| handbag | purse |
| holiday | vacation |
| hoover | vacuum cleaner |
| I | |
| icing sugar | powdered sugar |
| indicator | blinker, turn signal |
| J | |
| jacket potato | baked potato |
| jewellery | jewelery |
| Joe Bloggs | Joe Blow |
| jumble sale | yard sale |
| jumper | sweater |
| K | |
| kilometre | kilometer |
| L | |
| ladybird | ladybug |
| to lay the table | to set the table |
| letterbox, postbox | mailbox |
| lift | elevator |
| litre | liter |
| lorry | truck |
| lost property | lost and found |
| M | |
| mackintosh | raincoat |
| mashed potato | mashed potatoes |
| match | game |
| maths | math |
| mobile (phone) | cellphone |
| motorbike | motorcycle |
| mum | mom |
| N | |
| nappy | diaper |
| neighbour | neighbor |
| note | bill |
| notice board | bulletin board |
| number plate | license plate |
| P | |
| a pack of cards | a deck of cards |
| a packet of cigarettes | a pack of cigarettes |
| pants | underpants |
| paraffin | kerosene/kerosine |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| pedestrian crossing | crosswalk |
| pepper | bell pepper |
| petrol | gas |
| phone box | phone booth |
| plane | airplane |
| polo neck | turtle neck |
| post | |
| post code | zip code |
| postman | mailman |
| prawn | shrimp |
| programme | program |
| Q | |
| to queue | to line up |
| quid | buck |
| R | |
| railway | railroad |
| reception | front desk |
| to ring | to call |
| road way | pavement |
| roundabout | traffic circle, rotary |
| rucksack | backpack |
| rubber | eraser |
| rubbish | garbage |
| S | |
| share | stock |
| shop | store |
| shop assistant | sales clerk |
| sick | nauseated |
| single ticket | one-way ticket |
| Sorry. | Excuse me. |
| spanner | wrench |
| sports day | fields day |
| public school | private school |
| stock | inventory |
| subway | underpass |
| sultana | raisin |
| sweet shop | candy store |
| T | |
| tap | faucet |
| taxi | cab |
| term | semester |
| theatre | theater |
| timetable | schedule |
| tin | can |
| toilet, loo | bathroom, rest room |
| town centre | downtown, city center |
| torch | flashlight |
| trainers | sneakers |
| tram | streetcar |
| travelled | traveled |
| trolley | cart |
| trousers | pants |
| tyre | tire |
| U | |
| underground, tube | subway |
| underlay | carpet pad |
| undertaker | mortician |
| V | |
| verge (of road) | shoulder (of road) |
| vest | undershirt |
| W | |
| waistcoat | vest |
| wallet | billfold |
| wardrobe | closet |
| to wash | wash up |
| wing | fender |
| windscreen | windshield |
| Z | |
| zip | zipper |
British vs American words PDF
British vs American English Vocabulary (+140 words). Here is a PDF file with a list of 140, These words will help you understand the difference between American and British English. These are some pictures from the pdf file. The download link you will find below
British vs American
It's important to note that these differences are not strict rules, and there can be exceptions or variations within both British and American English. Additionally, due to globalization and the influence of media, many words and phrases are becoming more widely understood and accepted across both variants of English.