Although British English vs American English are generally mutually intelligible, British and American spelling and vocabulary differ in many areas.
Here you will find 40 examples of differences in vocabulary and spelling.
Vocabulary
| British | American |
| lift | elevator |
| underground | subway |
| chips | french fries |
| crisps | potato chips |
| aubergine | eggplant |
| courgette | zucchini |
| cock | rooster |
| waiter | server |
| note | bill |
| luggage | baggage |
| parcel | package |
| cooker | stove |
| tap | faucet |
| duvet | comforter |
| hoover | vacuum cleaner |
| rubber | eraser |
| sellotape | scotch tape |
| drawing pin | thumb tack |
| trousers | pants |
| football | soccer |
| autumn | fall |
| single | one-way |
| return | round-trip |
| petrol | gas / gasoline |
| car park | parking lot |
| bookshop | bookstore |
| cinema | movie theater |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| zebra crossing | crosswalk |
| garden | yard |
| flat | apartment |
| timetable | schedule |
| queue | line |
| aeroplane | airplane |
| ladybird | ladybug |
Spelling
| British | American |
| colour | color |
| grey | gray |
| yoghurt | yogurt |
| centre | center |
| travelling | traveling |
You can learn more in our app, LingoCards!
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