Here are some of the main differences in vocabulary between British and North American English.
British | Canadian | American |
anywhere | anywhere | anyplace |
autumn | autumn/fall | fall |
barrister | lawyer | attorney |
beeper, pager | pager | beeper |
bill (restaurant) | bill | check |
biscuit | cookie | cookie |
block of flats | apartment block | apartment building |
bonnet | hood | hood |
boot (of car) | trunk (of car) | trunk (of automobile) |
car | car | automobile |
caravan | trailer | trailer |
chemist | drugstore | drugstore |
chest of drawers | dresser | bureau |
chips | French fries/chips | French fries |
chocolate bar | chocolate bar | candy bar |
the cinema | movies | the movies |
clothes peg | clothes peg | clothespin |
coffin | coffin | casket |
condom | condom | rubber |
crisps | potato chips | potato chips |
crossroads | intersection | intersection |
cupboard | cupboard | closet |
cutlery | cutlery | silverware |
diversion | diversion, detour | detour |
drawing-pin | thumbtack | thumbtack |
driving licence | driver's licence | driver's license |
dummy (for babies) | soother | pacifier |
dustbin | garbage can, trash can | ashcan, garbage can, trashcan |
dustman | garbageman | garbage collector |
engine | engine | motor |
estate agent | real estate agent | realtor |
film | movie | movie |
flat | apartment | apartment |
flat tyre | flat tire | flat |
flyover | overpass | overpass |
galoshes | galoshes | toe rubbers |
gear-lever | gearshift | gearshift |
Girl Guide | Girl Guide | Girl Scout |
ground floor | ground floor, main floor | first floor |
handbag | handbag | purse |
holiday | holiday | vacation |
jam | jam | jelly |
jeans | jeans | blue jeans |
jug | jug | pitcher |
lift | elevator | elevator |
lorry | truck | truck |
luggage | luggage | baggage |
mad | crazy | crazy |
main road | main road, main thoroughfare | highway |
maize | corn | corn |
maths | math | math |
mobile (phone) | cellular phone | cellular |
motorbike | motorbike, motorcycle | motorcycle |
motorway | highway, thoroughfare | freeway, expressway |
motorway | freeway | freeway |
napkin | serviette, table napkin | napkin |
nappy | diaper | diaper |
naughts and crosses | tick-tack-toe | tic-tack-toe |
pants | shorts | shorts |
pavement | sidewalk, pavement | sidewalk |
petrol | gas, gasoline | gas, gasoline |
The Plough | Big Dipper | Big Dipper |
pocket money | pocket money | allowance |
post | mail, post | |
postbox | mailbox, post-box | mailbox |
postcode | postal code | zip code |
postman | mailman, letter carrier | mailman |
pub | bar, pub | bar |
public toilet | bathroom | rest room |
puncture | flat | flat |
railway | railway | railroad |
return (ticket) | return | round-trip |
reverse charge | collect call, reverse the charges | call collect |
ring road | ring road | beltway |
road surface | road surface, asphalt | pavement |
roundabout | roundabout | traffic circle |
rubber | eraser | eraser |
rubbish | garbage, trash, refuse | garbage, trash |
rubbish-bin | garbage can, trashcan | garbage can, trashcan |
saloon (car) | sedan (car) | sedan (automobile) |
shop | shop, store | store |
single (ticket) | one-way (ticket) | one-way |
solicitor | lawyer | attorney |
somewhere | somewhere | someplace |
spanner | wrench | wrench |
spirits | spirits | hard liquor |
sweets | candy, sweets | candy |
tap (indoors) | tap (indoors) | faucet |
tap (outdoors) | tap (outdoors) | spigot |
taxi | taxi | cab |
tea-towel | dish-towel | dish-towel |
telly, TV | TV | TV |
third-party insurance | third-party insurance | liability insurance |
timetable | schedule | schedule |
tin | tin can | can |
toll motorway | toll highway | turnpike |
torch | flashlight | flashlight |
trousers | pants | pants |
tube (train) | subway, metro | subway |
underground (train) | subway, metro | subway |
underpants | shorts | shorts |
van | truck | truck |
vest | undershirt | undershirt |
waistcoat | vest | vest |
wallet | wallet | billfold |
wellington boots | rubber boots | rubbers |
whisky | whisky, scotch | whiskey, scotch |
windscreen | windshield | windshield |
zip | zipper | zipper |
Prefer |
Need |
Want |
Hate |
Love |
Like |
Hear |
See |
Belong |
Believe |
Realize |
Know |
Understand |
Mean |
Suppose |
Seem |
Forget |
Remember |
CULTURAL NOTE
Some historians say that Valentine's Day traditions began with the story of St. Valentine, who was a Christian martyr in the third century. While he was in jail before his execution, he became friends with the prison guard's daughter. Before they took him away, he wrote her a note to thank her for her friendship, and he signed it "With love from your Valentine."
Driving. |
I am (=I’m) |
Driving. |
He/she/it is (=he’s, ECT.) |
Driving. |
We/they/you are (=we’re, ECT.) |
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Crime |
Robberyدزدی |
Murder قتل |
Burglary دزدی منزل |
Mugging کتک زدن |
Person |
A robber |
A murderer |
A burglar |
A mugger |
Verb |
To rob somebody or a place (bank) |
To murder somebody |
To break into a house |
To mug somebody |
Crime |
Car theft سرقت اتومبیل |
Drug pushing/dealing مواد مخدر |
Terrorism |
Shoplifting |
Person |
A car theft |
A drug pusher/dealer |
A terrorist |
A shoplifter دزدی از مغازه |
Verb |
To steal a car (steal/stole/stolen) |
To sell drugs (sell/sold/sold) |
To attack somebody or a place |
To steal things from a shop |