British vs American Vocabulary Differences (Side-by-Side Guide)

Learn common UK vs US words with clear examples for teachers, students, and self-study.

Introduction to British vs American Vocabulary Differences

If you teach, study, or work with international teams, you’ll quickly notice that English changes across the Atlantic. We might share a language, but we don’t always share the same words.

This practical guide to British vs American vocabulary shows the most frequent UK vs US words, explains common patterns, and gives classroom-ready examples you can use straight away. It’s a clear, teacher-friendly reference for learners who want to avoid misunderstandings and master real English vocabulary differences.

Why These Differences Matter

Small changes in vocabulary can affect clarity, tone, and even professionalism. Choosing lorry instead of truck, or holiday instead of vacation, signals where your English is anchored and who your audience is. For exams, business writing, and brand consistency, it’s helpful to pick one variety and use it consistently.

Quick tip for teachers: State your course standard at the top of the term (e.g., “We use British English on this course”) and model it in all materials.

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How to Use This Guide

  • Scan by topic: We’ve grouped words thematically and placed British (UK) and American (US) options side-by-side.
  • Note collocations: Some words sit in common phrases (e.g., petrol station vs gas station).
  • Be consistent: In formal writing, avoid mixing varieties.

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1. Everyday Objects & Clothing

Everyday life is full of small items that reveal big British vs American vocabulary differences. From what you wear to what you throw away, many everyday words change across the Atlantic. This list covers the most common clothing and household terms that often surprise English learners.

Everyday Objects & Clothing

  • UK: jumper 💁🏻‍♂️
    US: sweater
    Example (UK): I forgot my jumper; it’s chilly.
    Example (US): I forgot my sweater; it’s chilly.
  • UK: trousers 👖
    US: pants
    Example (UK): Those trousers fit well.
    Example (US): Those pants fit well.
  • UK: trainers 👟
    US: sneakers
    Example (UK): Wear trainers for PE.
    Example (US): Wear sneakers for gym.
  • UK: wardrobe
    US: closet
    Example (UK): Coats go in the wardrobe.
    Example (US): Coats go in the closet.
  • UK: bin / dustbin 🗑️
    US: trash can / garbage can
    Example (UK): Put it in the bin.
    Example (US): Put it in the trash can.
  • UK: nappy 👶
    US: diaper
    Example (UK): Change the baby’s nappy.
    Example (US): Change the baby’s diaper.
  • UK: torch 🔦
    US: flashlight
    Example (UK): Bring a torch for camping.
    Example (US): Bring a flashlight for camping.
  • UK: rubber (eraser) ✏️
    US: eraser
    Example (UK): Lend me a rubber.
    Example (US): Lend me an eraser.

2. Transport & Travel

When it comes to getting around, the road to clear communication can be bumpy. British and American speakers use different words for cars, roads, and public transport. This section helps you master the key UK vs US words you’ll need when travelling or reading signs abroad.

Transport & Travel

  • UK: lorry 🚛
    US: truck
    Example (UK): The lorry blocked the lane.
    Example (US): The truck blocked the lane.
  • UK: motorway 🛣️
    US: freeway / highway
    Example (UK): Take the motorway to Bristol.
    Example (US): Take the freeway to LA.
  • UK: petrol ⛽️
    US: gas / gasoline
    Example (UK): I need petrol.
    Example (US): I need gas.
  • UK: petrol station ⛽️
    US: gas station
    Example (UK): Stop at the petrol station.
    Example (US): Stop at the gas station.
  • UK: pavement
    US: sidewalk
    Example (UK): Walk on the pavement.
    Example (US): Walk on the sidewalk.
  • UK: boot (car) 🚗
    US: trunk
    Example (UK): Put the bags in the boot.
    Example (US): Put the bags in the trunk.
  • UK: bonnet (car) 🚘
    US: hood
    Example (UK): Open the bonnet.
    Example (US): Open the hood.
  • UK: zebra crossing 🦓
    US: crosswalk
    Example (UK): Use the zebra crossing.
    Example (US): Use the crosswalk.
  • UK: timetable 🕰️
    US: schedule
    Example (UK): Check the train timetable.
    Example (US): Check the train schedule.
  • UK: return ticket 🎫
    US: round-trip ticket
    Example (UK): Buy a return to Oxford.
    Example (US): Buy a round-trip to Boston.

3. Food & Everyday Life

Food brings people together, but vocabulary can still divide them! Getting mixed up while ordering chips or fries, biscuits or cookies, is easy. This list highlights the most frequent English vocabulary differences related to food, cooking, and eating out.

Food & Everyday Life

  • UK: biscuit 🍪
    US: cookie
    Example (UK): Would you like a biscuit with your tea?
    Example (US): Would you like a cookie with your tea?
  • UK: crisps 😋
    US: chips
    Example (UK): Salt and vinegar crisps are my favourite.
    Example (US): Salt and vinegar chips are my favorite.
  • UK: chips 🍟
    US: fries
    Example (UK): Let’s get fish and chips tonight.
    Example (US): Let’s get fish and fries tonight.
  • UK: courgette 🥒
    US: zucchini
    Example (UK): Add sliced courgette to the stir-fry.
    Example (US): Add sliced zucchini to the stir-fry.
  • UK: aubergine 🍆
    US: eggplant
    Example (UK): Roast the aubergine until it’s soft.
    Example (US): Roast the eggplant until it’s soft.
  • UK: coriander 🍃
    US: cilantro
    Example (UK): Sprinkle coriander over the curry.
    Example (US): Sprinkle cilantro over the curry.
  • UK: rocket 🍃
    US: arugula
    Example (UK): Top the pizza with fresh rocket.
    Example (US): Top the pizza with fresh arugula.
  • UK: sweets 🍬
    US: candy
    Example (UK): Don’t eat too many sweets before dinner.
    Example (US): Don’t eat too much candy before dinner.
  • UK: jam 🍓
    US: jelly
    Example (UK): I love strawberry jam on toast.
    Example (US): I love strawberry jelly on toast.
  • UK: jelly 🥄
    US: jello
    Example (UK): The kids had raspberry jelly for pudding.
    Example (US): The kids had raspberry jello for dessert.

4. Home, School & Work

Where you live to how you study and work changes between British and American English, each with their own everyday expressions. Let's compare the most useful British vs American vocabulary for homes, classrooms, and offices so you can sound natural in any environment.

Home, School & Work

  • UK: flat 🏢
    US: apartment
    Example (UK): We rent a flat near the city centre.
    Example (US): We rent an apartment near downtown.
  • UK: garden 🪴
    US: yard
    Example (UK): The children are playing in the garden.
    Example (US): The children are playing in the yard.
  • UK: ground floor 🏢
    US: first floor
    Example (UK): The reception is on the ground floor.
    Example (US): The reception is on the first floor.
  • UK: first floor 🏢
    US: second floor
    Example (UK): Our office is on the first floor.
    Example (US): Our office is on the second floor.
  • UK: holiday 🏖️
    US: vacation
    Example (UK): We’re going on holiday next month.
    Example (US): We’re going on vacation next month.
  • UK: CV 📄
    US: résumé
    Example (UK): Send your CV by Friday.
    Example (US): Send your résumé by Friday.
  • UK: post / postbox 📮
    US: mail / mailbox
    Example (UK): I’ll post the letter this afternoon.
    Example (US): I’ll mail the letter this afternoon.
  • UK: postcode 🗺️
    US: zip code
    Example (UK): What’s your postcode?
    Example (US): What’s your zip code?
  • UK: timetable (school) 🏫
    US: schedule
    Example (UK): Check the new school timetable.
    Example (US): Check the new school schedule.
  • UK: mark (a test) 📃
    US: grade (a test)
    Example (UK): I’ve marked your essays already.
    Example (US): I’ve graded your essays already.

Same action, different word

Even everyday actions like bathing, queuing, or posting a letter can show how English changes across regions.  You’ll find common verbs that differ between British and American English. Here are some with simple examples that make it easy to remember and use the right form in context.

Verbs & Everyday Actions

  • UK: hire (a car) 🚙
    US: rent (a car)
    Example (UK): We’ll hire a car for the weekend.
    Example (US): We’ll rent a car for the weekend.
  • UK: queue 👯👯
    US: line
    Example (UK): Please join the queue over there.
    Example (US): Please stand in line over there.
  • UK: have a bath 🛀
    US: take a bath
    Example (UK): I’ll have a bath before bed.
    Example (US): I’ll take a bath before bed.
  • UK: have a shower 🚿
    US: take a shower
    Example (UK): Go have a shower after PE.
    Example (US): Go take a shower after gym.
  • UK: post (a letter) ✉️
    US: mail (a letter)
    Example (UK): I’ll post the invitation tomorrow.
    Example (US): I’ll mail the invitation tomorrow.

Spelling Patterns You’ll Notice

Although I've focused on vocabulary in this article, learners will also meet -our / -or, -ise / -ize, and -re / -er patterns:

  • colour (UK) / color (US)
  • organise (UK) / organize (US)
  • centre (UK) / center (US)
  • licence (noun, UK) vs license (US noun & verb)
  • aluminium (UK) / aluminum (US)

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Classroom & Self-Study Tips

Choose your variety

Pick British or American English for formal tasks and stick with it. As a British native, I will of course encourage BrE (British English)😊 🇬🇧 but both are totally fine.

Build mini sets

Study words in topical sets (e.g., transport, food). Retrieval improves when words are grouped by context.

Practise in sentences

Swap in the regional word as a drill:

  • We stopped at the petrol station / gas station.
  • Put the suitcase in the boot / trunk.

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Summary & Next Steps

British vs American vocabulary differs most obviously in everyday items, food, transport, and home life.

Learn the high-frequency pairs first, practise them in short sentences, and use them consistently with your audience. You’ll avoid confusion, sound more natural, and write with confidence.

Explore more guides in our Vocabulary cluster—keep building your bank of high-impact words and phrases.

  1. Transport Vocabulary with Emojis
  2. Emotions Vocabulary List with Examples
  3. Academic Vocabulary for IELTS Writing

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Glossary Section

  • variant (n.) — a regional form of the language (e.g., British or American English).
  • register (n.) — the level of formality in language use.
  • collocation (n.) — words that commonly appear together (e.g., petrol station, gas station).
  • consistency (n.) — using the same variety and formats across a text.
  • lexis (n.) — the vocabulary of a language or field.

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Practice what you learned!

Questions

  1. Multiple choice: Which pair is correct?
    A) pavement / sidewalk  B) trousers / closet  C) lorry / trunk  D) crisps / fries
  2. True/False: Holiday (UK) usually corresponds to vacation (US).
  3. Short answer: Write a British and an American version of this sentence:
    “Put the suitcase in the ____ of the car.”
  4. Multiple choice: Which American word matches British jumper?
    A) pants  B) sweater  C) vest  D) jacket
  5. Gap fill: Complete with UK or US vocabulary:
    “We checked the train ______ / ______ and caught a return / round-trip to Manchester.”

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Answers

  1. A — pavement / sidewalk
  2. True
  3. UK: boot; US: trunk
  4. B — sweater
  5. timetable / schedule and return / round-trip