80 Differences between British and American Terms

Learn the differences between British and American Terms illustrated with pictures. Pronunciation, vocabulary, and spelling are the key differences when it comes to British and American words.

British and American Terms

The language deviation was first noticed by the settlers after one hundred years of crossing the Atlantic. Interacting with the natives and other settlers have created the divergence that started the transatlantic squabble.

The drama was later intensified as Noah Webster published a standardized American English dictionary in the early nineteenth century. Webster selected his preferred forms of the words based on nationalistic justification. He believed that America should be an independent country both in government and in language. Though it has been resolved that no version is correct, it is still wise to follow conformity in the application of language. Whichever type of English you select to use, you have to apply consistency all throughout.

Anti Clockwise  —–<>—– Counter-Clockwise

Autumn —–<>—– Fall

Car Boot Sale —–<>—– Garage Sale

Caretaker —–<>—– Janitor

Cashier —–<>—– Teller

Chap —–<>—– Guy

Dear —–<>—– Expensive

Draughts —–<>—– Checkers

Draw —–<>—– Tie

Dustman —–<>—– Garbage man

Film —–<>—– Movie

Fire Brigade —–<>—– Fire Department

Football —–<>—– Soccer

Girl, Lass —–<>—– Girl

High Street —–<>—– Main Street

Holiday —–<>—– Vacation

Jumble Sale —–<>—– Yard Sale

Kit —–<>—– Uniform

Ladybird —–<>—– Ladybug

Lollypop Man/Woman —–<>—– Crossing Guard

Loo —–<>—– Bathroom, Restroom

Mum, Mummy—–<>—– Mom, Mommy, Ma

Nil (Sport) —–<>—– Nothing, Zero

Noughts and Crosses —–<>—– Tic Tac Toe

Mate —–<>—– Buddy

Parcel —–<>—– Package

Phone Box —–<>—– Phone Booth

Pitch —–<>—– Field

Plaster —–<>—– Band-Aid

Policeman —–<>—– Police Officer

Post —–<>—–Mail

Postcode—–<>—– Zip code

Postman —–<>—– Mailman

Queue —–<>—– Line

Rucksack —–<>—– Backpack

Self-catering —–<>—– No Meals Included

Sellotape —–<>—– Sticky Tape, Scotch Tape

Sideboards —–<>—– Sideburns

Solicitor —–<>—– Lawyer, Attorney

Spot —–<>—– Pimple

Tippex —–<>—– White Out

Ice lolly —–<>—– Popsicle

Mobile Phone —–<>—– Cell Phone

Takeaway —–<>—– Takeout

Braces —–<>—– Suspenders

Fizzy Drink —–<>—– Soda Pop

Zebra Crossing —–<>—– Cross Walk

Crisps —–<>—– Potato Chips

Tea Towel/ Tea Cloth —–<>—– Dish Towel

Pudding —–<>—– Dessert

Cling Film —–<>—– Plastic Wrap

Dummy For —–<>—– Baby Pacifier

Sweets —–<>—– Candy

Rubbish —–<>—– Garbage (Trash)

Drawing-pin —–<>—– Thumb Tack

Dustbin —–<>—– Trash Can

Chemist’s —–<>—– Drugstore/ Pharmacy

Railway —–<>—– Railroad

Off-license —–<>—– Liquor Store

Diversion —–<>—– Detour

Flyover —–<>—– Overpass

Bum Bag —–<>—– Fanny Pack

Hench —–<>—– Ripped

Rocket —–<>—– Arugala

Road Surface —–<>—– Pavement

Parcel —–<>—– Package

Invigilate —–<>—– Proctor

Zed —–<>—– Zee

Curriculum Vitae/ CV —–<>—– Resume

Solicitor —–<>—– Attorney at Law

Caravan —–<>—– Trailer

Pocket Money —–<>—– Allowance

Silencer (car) —–<>—– Muffler

Spanner —–<>—– Wrench

Pram —–<>—– Baby Carriage

Pet Hate —–<>—– Pet Peeve

Public Toilet —–<>—– Restroom

Dustbin Man —–<>—– Garbage Collector

Cinema —–<>—– Movie Theater

Pitch —–<>—– Sports Field

Telly —–<>—– TV (Television)

Return Ticket —–<>—– Round-trip Ticket

Trolley —–<>—– Shopping Cart

Packed Lunch —–<>—– Sack Lunch

Boot —–<>—– Trunk

Bonnet —–<>—– Hood

A Full Stop —–<>—– A Period

An Exclamation Mark —–<>—– An Exclamation Point

Round Brackets —–<>—– Parentheses

Square Brackets —–<>—– Brackets

Curly Brackets —–<>—– Curly Braces

Learn more about commonly used American idioms.

British and American Terms | Pictures

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80 Differences between British and American Terms

British and American Terms | Video