American English to British English Vocabulary

While pronunciation, grammar, and spelling are among the many  differences between American and British English, perhaps the most difficult to navigate is the difference in American and British vocabulary and word choice.   American and British Vocabulary and Word Choice Many students are confused about word differences between American and British English. Generally speaking, its true that most Americans will understand British English speakers and vice versa despite the many differences. As your English  becomes more advanced, however, it becomes more important to decide which form of English you prefer. Once youve decided, try to stick to one form or the other in all aspects including pronunciation differences:  General American or Received Pronunciation. This consistency is key to clear English communication. The following list provides common American English vocabulary and word choices and their British English equivalents arranged in alphabetical order. Which words are already most familiar to you? American English British English antenna aerial mad angry anyplace anywhere fall autumn bill bank note attorney barrister, solicitor cookie biscuit hood bonnet trunk boot suspenders braces janitor caretaker drug store chemists french fries chips the movies the cinema rubber condom patrolman constable stove cooker wheat corn, wheat crib cot thread cotton wreck crash intersection crossroads drapes curtains checkers draughts thumbtack drawing pin divided highway dual carriageway pacifier dummy trashcan dustbin, rubbish-bin garbage can dustbin, rubbish-bin garbage collector dustman generator dynamo motor engine engineer engine driver movie film apartment flat overpass flyover yard garden gear-shift gear-lever alumnus graduate boiler grill first floor ground floor rubbers gumshoes, wellington boots sneakers gym shoes, tennis-shoes purse handbag billboard hoarding vacation holiday vacuum cleaner hoover sick ill intermission interval sweater jersey, jumper, pullover, sweater pitcher jug elevator lift truck lorry baggage luggage raincoat mackintosh, raincoat crazy mad highway main road corn maize math maths stingy mean freeway motorway diaper nappy vicious, mean nasty noplace nowhere private hospital nursing home optometrist optician liquor store off-license kerosene paraffin sidewalk pavement peek peep gasoline petrol mail post mailbox postbox mailman, mail carrier postman potato chips potato crisps baby carriage pram bar pub restroom public toilet blow-out puncture stroller push-chair line queue railroad railway railway car railway carriage spool of thread reel of cotton round trip return (ticket) call collect reverse charges raise rise (in salary) pavement road surface traffic circle roundabout eraser rubber garbage, trash rubbish sedan saloon (car) Scotch tape sellotape store shop muffler silencer one-way single (ticket) someplace somewhere wrench spanner faculty staff (of a university) oil pan sump dessert sweet candy sweets faucet tap spigot tap (outdoors) cab taxi dish-towel tea-towel semester term pantyhose tights schedule timetable can tin turnpike toll motorway flashlight torch hobo tramp pants trousers cuffs turn-ups subway underground railway shorts underpants shoulder (of road) verge (of road) vest waistcoat closet wardrobe wash up wash your hands windshield windscreen fender wing zipper zip Now, test your knowledge with the two quizzes below. American to British English Vocabulary Quiz Replace the American English word in  italics  with a British English word.   Id like to hang the drapes tonight. Do you have time?We took the elevator to the 10th floor.Would you like to see a movie tonight?Have you seen Tims new apartment yet? Its very nice.Run down to the drug store and buy some aspirin, please.  Lets go to the bar and get a drink.Ill take the garbage out before I leave tomorrow morning.Take the second exit at the traffic circle.Lets get have some potato chips with lunch.  Could you hand me the flashlight so I can take a look in the closet?Peter wore a pair of slim fitting  pants  to the party.She opened the  tap  and watered the garden.Have you ever  worn a  vest  with a suit?Ill pick up the mail on the way home from work.Could you buy me a pair of pantyhose at the mall? Answers curtainsliftfilmflatchemistspubrubbishroundaboutcrispstorchtrousersspigot  waistcoatposttights British to American English Vocabulary Quiz Replace the British word in  italics  with an American English word. We need to find a public toilet soon.Lets get the pram and take a walk with Jennifer.  Im afraid I had a puncture and had to get it fixed.Could you bring in that tin of tuna over there?He puts his trousers on like any other person.Shes very mean with her money. Dont ask her for any help.I generally dont wear a suit with a waistcoat.We should ask a constable for help.Lets go to the off-license and get some whiskey.  Get on queue and Ill get us something to eat.Grab a  tea-towel  and clean that up.Look at the  schedule  and see when the train leaves.The car has a dent in the  wing.Choose a sweater from the  wardrobe  and lets get going.The lights have gone out, and well need a  torch. Answers restroombaby carriageblow-outcanpantsstingyvestpatrolmanliquor storelinedish-toweltime tablefendercloset  flashlight