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British vs. American English

American vs. British Housing Terms You Should Know

Learn American vs. British housing terms with pictures. There is a considerable difference between British and American houses. It is partly contributed by the different paths that these two nations took after the Second World War. Aside from structures and features, these two cultures also differ when it comes to housing terminologies. From power outlets to air conditioning, the list below will surprise you. Familiarizing these different terms would be quite helpful, especially if you are from the UK and plan to travel to the US or vice versa. Here are a few common words which might leave you perplexed and confused.

American vs. British Housing Terms

American vs. British Housing TermsPin
American vs. British Housing Terms – Created by 7ESL

Bath —–<>—– Bath Tub

Bin/ Dust Bin —–<>—– Trash Can

Block of Flats —–<>—– Apartment Building, Apartment House

Bungalow —–<>—– One Story House

Bureau De Change —–<>—– Currency Exchange

Chemist’s Shop —–<>—– Drugstore

The Cinema —–<>—– The Movies

Cooker —–<>—– Stove, Range

Corner Shop —–<>—– Grocery Store

Creche —–<>—– Daycare

Curtains —–<>—– Curtains, Drapes

Drawing Room —–<>—– Living Room

First Floor —–<>—– Second Floor

Fishmonger’s —–<>—– Fish Store

Fruiterer’s —–<>—– Fruit Store

Garden —–<>—– Back Yard

Ground Floor —–<>—– Ground Floor, First Floor, Lobby

Flat —–<>—– Apartment

Floor —–<>—– Storey

Ironmonger —–<>—– Hardware Store

Lift —–<>—– Elevator

Lounge —–<>—– Living Room

Pushchair —–<>—– Stroller

Radio, Wireless —–<>—– Radio

Ranch —–<>—– House

Reception —–<>—– Front Desk, Lobby 

Semi-Detached —–<>—– House Duplex

Shopping Center —–<>—– Shopping Mall

Sink, Washbasin —–<>—– Sink

Sweet Shop —–<>—– Candy Store

Terrace —–<>—– Town House

Tap —–<>—– Faucet

Toilet, Loo, WC —–<>—– Washroom, Bathroom, Restroom

Torch —–<>—– Flashlight

Town Centre —–<>—– Downtown

Trolley —–<>—– Cart

Telly —–<>—– TV (Television)

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

Wardrobe—–<>—– Closet

American vs. British Housing Terms | Video

 

A2 Knowledge Check · 5 questions

Housing Vocabulary In American And British English Practice Quiz (A2-B1)

1 / 5
Q1

Question 1: What does FLAT mean in British English?

Question 1 options
Flat is the British English word for a set of rooms for living in, all on one floor of a building. The American English equivalent is 'apartment'. Garden, lift, and wardrobe are different British English housing words.
Q2

Question 2: Which word is closest in meaning to TRASH CAN in American English?

Question 2 options
Bin (or dustbin) is the British English equivalent of the American word 'trash can' — a container for throwing away rubbish. Trolley, tap, and torch are other British words but they mean something completely different.
Q3

Question 3: A: 'Where do you live?' B: 'I live in a ___ — it's one half of a house, with a neighbour on the other side.' (British English)

Question 3 options
Semi-detached is the British English term for a house that shares one wall with another house. In American English, this is often called a duplex. Bungalow, terrace, and flat describe different types of housing.
Q4

Question 4: She turned on the ___ to wash her hands, but in America her friend called it a 'faucet'.

Question 4 options
Tap is the British English word for the device that controls the flow of water from a pipe. The American English equivalent is 'faucet'. Switch, plug, and handle are different household words that do not name this object.
Q5

Question 5: In American English, 'drapes' and 'curtains' can both be used to describe fabric that hangs over a window.

Question 5 options
True. In American English, both 'drapes' and 'curtains' are used for window coverings. In British English, only 'curtains' is the common word — 'drapes' is rarely used.

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