Even though Americans and the British speak the same language, there are many notable differences between us when it comes to spelling, grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary.
In fact, U.S. English speakers are often surprised, confused, or even perplexed by the UK’s unique lexicon (and vice versa).
To help you recognize some of these differences related to vocab, here is a list of corresponding word pairs:
| Same idea, different term | |
| U.S. version | UK version |
| airplane | aeroplane |
| apartment | flat |
| attractive (of a person) | fit |
| bachelor party | stag night |
| bachelorette party | hen party |
| bathroom/toilet | the loo |
| carryout/takeout (food) | takeaway |
| closet (for clothes) | wardrobe |
| cookie | biscuit |
| crib (for a baby) | cot |
| diaper | nappy |
| driver’s license | driving licence |
| elementary school | primary school |
| elevator | lift |
| eraser | rubber |
| expressway/freeway | motorway |
| french fries | chips |
| friend/buddy | mate |
| garbage/trash | rubbish |
| garbage/trash can | dustbin |
| gasoline | petrol |
| high school | secondary school |
| hood (of a car) | bonnet |
| ice pop/popsicle | ice lolly |
| insane | mad |
| line (of people) | queue |
| post | |
| main street | high street |
| mom | mum |
| movie theater | cinema |
| oven mitt | oven glove |
| overpass | flyover |
| pacifier | dummy |
| parking lot/garage | car park |
| pharmacy | chemist |
| potato chips | potato crisps |
| roommate | flatmate |
| semitruck | lorry |
| shopping cart | trolley |
| sidewalk | footway |
| sketchy | dodgy |
| soccer | football |
| stroller | pushchair |
| tennis shoes/sneakers | trainers |
| tired/exhausted | knackered |
| trunk (of a car) | boot |
| TV | telly |
| vacation | holiday |
| windshield | windscreen |
| wrench | spanner |
Watching a big-budget Hollywood movie? You’ll probably hear the terms on the left. Reading an Agatha Christie detective novel? You’re more likely to come across the words in the right column! 🙂
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