This page shows major differences in vocabulary between different varieties of English.
The vocabulary differences here are mainly between American English (AmE) and British English (BrE), the two most prevalent varieties of English. However, bear in mind that there is a great deal of overlap between the two (often due to cultural influence) and the differences are not as clear-cut as might be imagined.
Note that in the lists below Australian English & New Zealand English are the same as British English unless noted otherwise.
Meanings
In many cases there is a direct correlation between the words. For example, AmE uses the word cab and BrE uses the word taxi and yet both refer to exactly the same thing.
However, there are sometimes differences in meaning between the same word. For example in AmE quite works as a intensifier:
He was angry before and that was ok, but now he’s quite angry so we’d better leave!
In BrE, however, quite works to reduce the intensity of the word.
He was angry before and I was thinking of leaving; he’s still quite angry but I think it’s safe to stay.
Miscellaneous Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
| first/ground floor | in the US the first floor is equivalent to the UK ground floor; the US second floor is equivalent to the UK first floor and so on. |
| quite | in AmE intensifies; in BrE de-tensifies |
Semantic Fields
The lists below are divided into several general semantic fields. The words here are almost all nouns.
Road/Traffic
| American English | British English | Australian English | New Zealand English |
| automobile | car | ||
| cab | taxi | ||
| detour | diversion | ||
| divided highway | dual carriageway | ||
| expressway | motorway | ||
| fender | bumper, mudguard | ||
| flat | puncture, flat tyre | ||
| freeway | motorway | ||
| gas | petrol | ||
| gearshift | gear-stick, gear-lever | ||
| highway | main road | ||
| hood | bonnet | ||
| intersection | crossroads | ||
| motor | engine | ||
| muffler | silencer | ||
| oil pan | sump | ||
| patrolman | (traffic) policeman | ||
| drug store | chemist’s | chemist/pharmacy | |
| elevator | lift | ||
| eraser | rubber | ||
| faculty | staff (university) | ||
| fall | autumn | ||
| pavement | road surface | ||
| sedan | saloon car | ||
| shoulder | verge | ||
| sidewalk | pavement | ||
| traffic circle | roundabout | ||
| trailer | caravan | ||
| truck | van, lorry | ||
| trunk | boot | ||
| turnpike | toll motorway | ||
| windshield | windscreen | ||
| wreck | crash |
Clothes/Accessories
| American English | British English | Australian English | New Zealand English |
| billfold | wallet | ||
| coin-purse | purse | ||
| cuffs | turn-ups (on trousers) | ||
| diaper | nappy | ||
| pants | trousers | ||
| pantyhose | tights | ||
| pocketbook, purse | handbag | ||
| shorts | underpants, pants | ||
| sneakers | trainers | ||
| suspenders | braces | ||
| undershirt | vest | ||
| vest | waistcoat | ||
| zipper | zip |
Miscellaneous
| American English | British English | Australian English | New Zealand English |
| afternoon | afternoon | arvo | afo/arvo |
| alumnus | graduate | ||
| anyplace | anywhere | ||
| apartment | flat | apartment/flat | |
| attorney | barrister, solicitor | lawyer | |
| baby-carriage | pram | ||
| bar | pub | ||
| billboard | hoarding | billboard | |
| broiler | grill | ||
| burglarize | burgle | ||
| call-collect | reverse charge | ||
| can | tin | ||
| candy | sweets | lollies | |
| checkers | draughts | ||
| closet | cupboard | ||
| cookie | biscuit | ||
| corn | maize | corn | |
| crib | cot | ||
| dishtowel | tea-towel | ||
| drug store | chemist’s | chemist/pharmacy | |
| elevator | lift | ||
| eraser | rubber | ||
| faculty | staff (university) | ||
| fall | autumn | ||
| faucet | tap | ||
| first floor | ground floor | ||
| flashlight | torch | ||
| garbage | rubbish | ||
| hobo | tramp | ||
| janitor | caretaker | ||
| kerosene | paraffin | kerosene | |
| liquor store | off-licence | bottle shop | |
| post | |||
| math | maths | ||
| mean | vicious | ||
| no place | nowhere | ||
| optometrist | oculist, optician | optometrist | |
| pacifier | dummy (for a baby) | ||
| pitcher | jug | ||
| potato chips | crisps | chips | |
| private hospital | nursing home | ||
| railroad | railway | ||
| Realtor | estate agent | ||
| rest room | toilet | ||
| rubber | condom | ||
| rubbers | Wellington boots | gum boots | gum boots |
| school | school, college, university | ||
| someplace | somewhere | ||
| spigot | tap | ||
| sponge off | sponge off | bludge | |
| spool | reel | ||
| store | shop | ||
| stove | cooker | ||
| stroller | push-chair | pusher | |
| subway | underground/tube | loop | |
| thumbtack | drawing pin | ||
| trash | rubbish | ||
| vacation | holiday |
Expressions
| American English | British English | Australian English | New Zealand English |
| I could care less. | I couldn’t care less. |
Useful Links
Varieties of English – a look at the different types of English around
Varieties of English Spelling – major spelling differences between different types of English
Varieties of English Grammar – major grammar differences between different types of English
American English – a look at American English or AmE
British English – a look at British English or BrE
Australian English – a look at Australian English or AuE
New Zealand English – a look at New Zealand English or NZE
Maltesers and Whoppers; they look the same, some say they are the same… but are they?
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