What is the American and British English difference?
The American and British English difference is relatively small. For those who have been studying British English, the following will help familiarize (American spelling) you with some of the main differences.
Please note that there is no language known as “American.”
American English is properly understood to be a dialect of the English Language.
With this in mind, let’s look at what makes up the American and British English difference.
The following list shows general spelling differences between American and British English. From the familiar “re” of centre or theatre in British English to the “ize” of American English spelling of words like apologize or realize, these spelling differences, once learned, should not be a problem to those at the proficiency level of the language.
After all, the American and British English difference doesn’t prevent usfrom understanding one another. Unless, or course, you happen to be British or American and find yourself speaking to the other. ; -)
I recommend you learn one form and stick with it. After all, both forms are accepted in all examinations as long as you are consistent.
BRITISH ENGLISH
adviser
analyse
apologise/apologize
axe
behaviour
catalogue
centre
cheque
colour
councillor
counsellor
defence
dialogue
favour
favourite
enrol
fulfil
grey
honour
humour
instal
jeweller
jewellery
kerb (edge of pavement)
labelled
labour
liqueur
licence
litre
marvellous
metre
neighbour
organize/organise
plough
practise (verb)
practice (noun)
programme
pyjamas
quarrelled
realise/realize
signalled
skilful
theatre
through
travelled, -lling
tyre (on a wheel)
AMERICAN ENGLISH
advisor
analyze
apologize
axe/ax
behavior
catalog/catalogue
center
check
color
councilor
counselor
defense
dialog/dialogue
favor
favorite
enroll
fulfill
gray
honor
humor
install
jeweler
jewelery
curb
labeled
labor
liquor
license
liter
marvelous
meter
neighbor
organize
plow
practice (verb and noun)
program
pajamas
quarreled
realize
signaled
skillful
theater
through, thru
traveled, -ling
tire
Apart from differences in spelling, there are certain words used by the British that are quite foreign to many Americans. In like manner, many American words are certain to cause the British to raise an eyebrow or two. That said, we can still (for the most part) understand one another.
AMERICAN ENGLISH
advisor
analyze
apologize
axe/ax
behavior
catalog/catalogue
center
check
color
councilor
counselor
defense
dialog/dialogue
favor
favorite
enroll
fulfill
gray
honor
humor
install
jeweler
jewelery
curb
labeled
labor
liquor
license
liter
marvelous
meter
neighbor
organize
plow
practice (verb and noun)
program
pajamas
quarreled
realize
signaled
skillful
theater
through, thru
traveled, -ling
tire
BRITISH ENGLISH
Buildings in General
block of flats
first floor
flat
ground floor
lift
Household Furniture
camp bed
chest of drawers
cot
cupboard
curtains
dresser (for plates, dishes)
roller blind
standard lamp
In the Kitchen
baking tray
bread bin
clothes peg
cooker
cutlery
flex
hoover
(to hoover)
liquidizer / blender
napkin / serviette
tap
tea towel
tin opener
wash up
washing up liquid
waste bin
worktop
Fruits and vegetables
aubergine
beetroot
spring onion
courgette
marrow
runner bean
Meat
minced meat
Snacks
biscuits
chips
crisps
sweets
sweetshop
Automobile / Car
accelerator
aerial
bonnet
boot
gear level
handbrake
indicator switch
mudguard
petrol cap
puncture
rear light
side-light
windscreen
wing
wing mirror
Motor Vehicles
coach
estate car
lorry
sallon
Near Roads
car park
crossroads
cycle path
diversion
flyover
lay by
middle lane
motorway
pavement
pedestrian / zebra crossing
roundabout
sleeping policeman
slip road
subway
underground
Driving
change up into gear
overtake
reverse down
Shops / Stores
bookshop
chemist’s chemist
fishmonger’s
greengrocer’s
grocer’s
jeweller’s
newsagent’s
off-licence
stationer’s
Clothes
anorak
braces
dinner jacket
dressing gown
polo neck jumper
suspenders
tights
trousers
turn-ups
vest
waistcoat
Shoes
court shoes
thongs
football boots
plimsolls
trainers
wellington boots
Travel
buffet car
engine driver
hire / rent a car
luggage trolley
railway carriage
railway station
return ticket
single ticket
Telephonee
dialing / STD code
directory enquiries
it’s engaged / busy
reverse the charges
Miscellaneous
autumn
bank note
candyfloss
carrycot
fortnight / two weeks
high street
hire purchase
holiday
interval
nappy
petrol
petrol / filling station
polling day
caretaker
postbox / letterbox
postman
postcode
queue
rubber
rubbish
secondary school
sellotape
skipping rope
term
university
wardrobe
(TV) aerial
dustbin
AMERICAN ENGLISH
Buildings in General
apartment building
second floor
apartment
first floor
elevator
Household Furniture
cot
dresser
crib
closet
drapes
hutch
shade
floor lamp
In the Kitchen
cookie sheet
bread box
clothes pin
stove
silverware
electric cord
vacuum cleaner
(to vacuum)
blender
napkin
faucet
dish towel
can opener
do the dishes
dish washing liquid
waste basket
counter
Fruits and vegetables
eggplant
beet
green onion
zucchini
squash
string bean
Meat
ground meat (hamburger)
Snacks
cookies
French fries
chips
candies
candy store
Automobile / Car
gas pedal
antenna
hood
trunk
gear shift
emergency break
turn signal / blinker
splash guard (mud flaps )
gas cap
blow-out (flat)
tail-light
parking-light
windshield
fender
rearview mirror
Motor Vehi
cles
bus
station wagon
truck
sedan
Near Roads
parking lot
intersection
bicycle route
detour
overpass
rest area
center lane
freeway / highway
sidewalk
crosswalk
traffic circle
speed bump
on ramp
underpass
subway
Driving
shift into gear
pass
back down
Shops / Stores
bookstore
drugstore / pharmacy
fishstore
fruit and vegetable stand
grocery store
jewelry store
news dealer
liquor store
stationary / office supply
Clothes
parka
suspenders
tuxedo
robe
turtleneck sweater
garters
pantyhose
pants
cuffed pants
undershirt
vest
Shoes
pumps
flip flops
soccer shoes
sneakers
sneakers / tennis shoes
rubber boots
Travel
café car
engineer
rent a car (hire a person)
baggage cart
railroad car
railroad station
round-trip ticket
one way ticket
Telephone
area code
information
it’s busy
call collect
Miscellaneous
fall
bill
cotton candy
porta crib
two weeks
main street
installment plan
vacation
intermission
diaper
gas
gas station
election day
janitor
mailbox
mailman
zip code
line
eraser
garbage
high school
Scotch tape
jump rope
semester
university / college
closet
(TV) antenna
garbage / trash can