British English and American English come from the same language, but they use different words, spellings, and expressions in everyday life. These differences appear frequently in food, clothing, travel, household items, and even job titles.
The tables below show common vocabulary differences between British English (BrE) and American English (AmE), grouped by topic for easy reference. Important notes are included to highlight words that often cause confusion in real-life communication.
British English vs. American English Vocabulary
Food & Dining
| BrE | AmE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biscuit | Cookie | In the UK, a biscuit is usually sweet |
| Chips | Fries | UK chips are thick-cut; US fries are thinner |
| Crisps | Chips | One of the most common food-related confusions |
| Sweets | Candy | General term for sugary snacks |
| Maize | Corn | Same food, different term |
| Aubergine | Eggplant | Vegetable name difference |
| Rasher | Slice of bacon | “Rasher” means one slice, not all bacon |
Pro Tip: In the UK, chips are thick-cut fried potatoes, while crisps are thin and crunchy. In the US, fries are thin-cut, and chips are what the UK calls crisps.
Clothing & Personal Items
| BrE | AmE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trainers | Sneakers | Sports shoes |
| Jumper | Sweater | Upper-body clothing |
| Trousers | Pants | Warning: “Pants” in the UK means underwear |
| Pyjamas | Pajamas | Spelling difference |
| Waistcoat | Vest | Formal clothing item |
| Handbag | Purse | Women’s bag |
Transportation & Travel
| BrE | AmE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lorry | Truck | Large vehicle |
| Underground | Subway | City rail system |
| Car park | Parking lot | Parking area |
| Petrol | Gasoline | Fuel for vehicles |
| Queue | Line | People waiting |
| Trolley | Cart | Shopping trolley/cart |
The Home & Daily Life
| BrE | AmE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat | Apartment | Living space |
| Cooker | Stove | Used for cooking |
| Tap | Faucet | Water control |
| Wardrobe | Closet | Clothes storage |
| Torch | Flashlight | Portable light |
| Garden | Yard | Outdoor area near a house |
Jobs & People
| BrE | AmE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | Pharmacist | Person who prepares medicine |
| Solicitor | Lawyer | A solicitor is a specific type of lawyer in the UK |
| Postman | Mailman | Delivers mail |
Spelling Differences
| BrE | AmE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aeroplane | Airplane | Spelling difference only |
| Tyre | Tire | Vehicle part |
| Omelette | Omelet | Spelling difference |
Punctuation
| BrE | AmE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full stop | Period | Punctuation mark |
British vs. American English Infographic
Last Updated on January 23, 2026
The British English word for a Plumber is a Plumber! If I got a water leak in a pipe I would call the plumber.
Great. Would like to be able to print for a quiz
wow i learn so much BRITISH BRITISH WHAT IS THIS NON-SENCE
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