British vs American English

500 British vs American English Words with Pictures

500 British vs American English Words with Pictures

British and American English are both widely used around the world, but they often use different words for the same things. For example, the British say “lift”, while Americans say “elevator”. These small differences can sometimes confuse learners and travelers. That’s why it’s important to understand both versions. In this article, you will learn a clear and simple list of 500 British vs American English words with pictures. Each word is shown with an image and both versions of the word to help you learn easily. This guide is perfect for students, teachers, travelers, and anyone who wants to speak and understand English confidently, no matter which side of the world they’re on.

Learn the Difference Between British and American English

British EnglishAmerican English
AeroplaneAirplane
BiscuitCookie
Bonnet (car)Hood
Boot (car)Trunk
Car parkParking lot
ChemistDrugstore
CrispsChips
DustbinTrash can
FilmMovie
FlatApartment
FootballSoccer
HolidayVacation
JumperSweater
LiftElevator
LorryTruck
MathsMath
Mobile phoneCell phone
NappyDiaper
PetrolGasoline
PostMail
PostboxMailbox
QueueLine
RubbishGarbage
SweetsCandy
TapFaucet

Common Words in British vs American English

British EnglishAmerican English
ToiletBathroom
TrainersSneakers
TrousersPants
UndergroundSubway
WaistcoatVest
WindcheaterWindbreaker
Zed (Z)Zee (Z)
BracesSuspenders
CookerStove
CourgetteZucchini
AubergineEggplant
DustmanGarbage collector
Estate agentRealtor
FlyoverOverpass
GardenYard
HandbagPurse
HeadmasterPrincipal
HireRent
IndicatorTurn signal
LuggageBaggage
MarksGrades
MotorwayFreeway
NoughtZero
Off-licenceLiquor store
PavementSidewalk

Daily Used UK and US English Words

British EnglishAmerican English
PostcodeZip code
Public schoolPrivate school
RubberEraser
SledgeSled
SpannerWrench
TellyTV
TimetableSchedule
TorchFlashlight
WardrobeCloset
WindscreenWindshield
AnticlockwiseCounterclockwise
BarristerAttorney
BeetrootBeet
BinmanTrash collector
Biscuit tinCookie jar
Car hireCar rental
CashpointATM
CinemaTheater
Cooker hoodRange hood
CornflourCornstarch
CotCrib
Current accountChecking account
Drawing pinThumbtack
Dummy (baby)Pacifier
Fizzy drinkSoda

British English vs American English Vocabulary

British EnglishAmerican English
Football bootsCleats
FringeBangs
Full stopPeriod
Ground floorFirst floor
HairslideBarrette
High streetMain street
HoardingBillboard
IndicatorBlinker
Ivy league (UK usage)Elite colleges
Jumper wiresPatch cables
LadybirdLadybug
LetterboxMail slot
LooRestroom
Marking schemeGrading system
MotorbikeMotorcycle
MumMom
Nappy bagDiaper bag
Nappy rashDiaper rash
Number plateLicense plate
OverdraftNegative balance
ParcelPackage
Petrol stationGas station
PlasterBand-aid
PostgraduateGraduate student
PrawnShrimp

500 British words vs American words for Kids and Adults

British EnglishAmerican English
RailwayRailroad
RevisionReview
RoundaboutTraffic circle
Rubber bootsRain boots
Sat navGPS
ShopStore
Shopping trolleyShopping cart
SledgehammerMallet
SolicitorLawyer
Spring onionsGreen onions
Starter (meal)Appetizer
State schoolPublic school
SurgeryDoctor’s office
Swimming costumeBathing suit
TaxiCab
Tea towelDish towel
Term (school)Semester
Text messageSMS
TightsPantyhose
Toilet rollToilet paper
TrainersAthletic shoes
TrolleyCart
Tube (subway)Subway
Underground trainSubway train
Waistcoat pocketVest pocket

Easy English Word Pairs Between UK and US

British EnglishAmerican English
Agony auntAdvice columnist
AluminiumAluminum
AutumnFall
Back gardenBackyard
BeetleBug
BiroBallpoint pen
BluebellWildflower
Bonnet (hat)Sunhat
BreaktimeRecess
CanteenCafeteria
CaravanTrailer
CarriageTrain car
Cat’s eyeReflector
ChuffedProud
CisternTank
Cling filmPlastic wrap
Cooker ringBurner
CrossroadsIntersection
DraughtDraft
Drink-drivingDrunk driving
Dual carriagewayDivided highway
Dummy runTrial run
Dust sheetDrop cloth
EarthGround
Fairy lightsChristmas lights

Commonly Used British and American Terms

British EnglishAmerican English
Fancy dressCostume
Father ChristmasSanta Claus
Fire brigadeFire department
FlatmateRoommate
FlannelWashcloth
FortnightTwo weeks
Garden centrePlant nursery
Gear leverGear shift
Give wayYield
Go-slowSlowdown
Green grocerProduce market
GroundnutPeanut
HairdresserHairstylist
HeadlampHeadlight
Hire purchaseInstallment plan
HoodyHoodie
Ice lollyPopsicle
InvertorPower converter
JellyJello
Joint (meat)Roast
Keep-fitFitness
KerbCurb
LadyshipMa’am
LaminateVeneer
Letter trayInbox

Differences between British and American English

British EnglishAmerican English
Lifeguard chairLifeguard stand
Linking wordTransition word
Local councilCity council
LoungeLiving room
Luminous jacketReflective vest
Managing directorCEO
MarmaladeOrange jelly
MewsAlleyway
MinceGround meat
MinibusShuttle bus
MothballCloset freshener
MufflerScarf
MugginsFool
Mumbo jumboNonsense
Mushroom ketchupMushroom sauce
Napkin ringServiette ring
National insuranceSocial security
NewsagentNewsstand
NightdressNightgown
NotepaperWriting paper
NutcaseCrazy person
Off-puttingUnpleasant
Old people’s homeNursing home
OpticianEye doctor
OutingField trip

Short Examples of British vs American Words

British EnglishAmerican English
OvertakePass
PaintworkPaint job
Parcel tapePacking tape
Park keeperGroundskeeper
Party hatCone hat
Pedestrian crossingCrosswalk
Penny coinCent
PerambulatorStroller
Petrol capGas cap
Photo boothPhoto booth
Picnic rugPicnic blanket
Pilot lightIndicator light
PinnyApron
PlaygroupPreschool
PolicemanCop
Police vanSquad car
Post-mortemAutopsy
PotholingCaving
Press-upPush-up
Primary schoolElementary school
PramBaby carriage
ProgrammeProgram
PubBar
Purse (small)Coin pouch
PushchairStroller

Learn How UK Words Change in America

British EnglishAmerican English
QuayDock
QuidBuck
Railway lineRailroad track
Ready mealFrozen dinner
Refuse collectorGarbage man
Registration plateLicense plate
Removal vanMoving truck
Return ticketRound-trip ticket
Reverse charge callCollect call
Ring roadBeltway
RoadworksConstruction zone
RucksackBackpack
Rumble stripWarning strip
Saloon (car)Sedan
SellotapeScotch tape
ServietteNapkin
Shop assistantSales clerk
Shop windowStorefront
Show jumperEquestrian rider
Single ticketOne-way ticket
Skipping ropeJump rope
SkittleBowling pin
Smart (dress)Formal
Solicitor generalAttorney general
Spinal unitSpine ward

British vs American Vocabulary words with Pictures

British EnglishAmerican English
Squash (drink)Fruit punch
Staff roomTeacher’s lounge
Stag partyBachelor party
Sticking plasterBandage
Stock cubeBouillon cube
Stone (weight)Pounds
SultanaGolden raisin
Sun creamSunscreen
Surgery hoursOffice hours
Swimming poolPool
SwotNerd
TakeawayTakeout
TandemDouble bike
TannoyPA system
Tap washerFaucet washer
TartanPlaid
Tea cosyTeapot cover
TeatimeDinner time
Teddy bearStuffed animal
Term timeSchool session
TextbookSchool book
Thick shakeMilkshake
Ticket inspectorConductor
Toilet bagToiletry bag
TorchlightFlashlight beam

Daily use of British English and American English words

British EnglishAmerican English
Track suitSweat suit
Traffic lightsStoplights
TrampolineBounce house
Trapeze artistAerialist
TravellerTraveler
Trifle (dessert)Layered dessert
TrugGarden basket
Tube mapSubway map
Tuck shopSnack bar
Turn-up (trousers)Cuff
TyreTire
Union flagAmerican flag
Unleaded petrolUnleaded gas
UplandsHighlands
Van hireVan rental
Vegetable marrowSquash
Vest (undergarment)Undershirt
Video recorderVCR
Wading poolKiddie pool
Ward (hospital)Hospital room
Wash basinSink
Waste binTrash bin
Water tapWater faucet
WelliesRain boots
Windscreen wiperWindshield wiper

Daily Use Words in British vs American English

British EnglishAmerican English
Wind-up toyMechanical toy
Woollen jumperWool sweater
Working holidayWork vacation
WristwatchWatch
X-ray departmentRadiology
Yard (school)Playground
Y-frontsBriefs
Zebra crossingPedestrian crosswalk
Zip wireZip line
Zip-upZipper jacket
Aluminium foilTin foil
Balance sheetFinancial statement
BanknoteBill
BarracksMilitary base
BeakerPlastic cup
BellboyBellhop
Bench (court)Judge’s stand
Betting shopBookmaker
Bill (restaurant)Check
Bin linerTrash bag
Biscuit cutterCookie cutter
BlackcurrantCurrant
BlackboardChalkboard
Boiler suitCoveralls
Bonnet pinHood latch

Short Examples of British and American Vocabulary

British EnglishAmerican English
Book tokenGift card
Boot saleGarage sale
Branch lineLocal train
BratSpoiled kid
Brown sauceSteak sauce
Brush-offSnub
Builder’s teaStrong tea
Bulb (light)Light bulb
Bunk bedLoft bed
BungalowOne-story house
BursaryScholarship
Bus conductorFare collector
Butty (sandwich)Sandwich
Cab rankTaxi stand
CagouleRain jacket
Candy flossCotton candy
Caravan parkTrailer park
CardiganSweater
Cash tillCash register
Casualty (hospital)Emergency room
CatwalkRunway
CatteryCat boarding
CCTVSurveillance camera
Central heatingHome heating
Charity shopThrift store

American English words and British English with Pictures

British EnglishAmerican English
Chock-a-blockJam-packed
Chuffed to bitsReally happy
Cinema ticketMovie ticket
Cistern (bathroom)Tank
Claim formApplication form
Clingy (person)Needy
Clipper (tool)Nail cutter
Clobber (clothes)Outfit
Combi boilerWater heater
Comfort stationRestroom
CommaComma
CommodeToilet seat
Company carBusiness car
Complaints bookComplaint log
ConkerBuckeye
ConservatoireMusic school
Cooker switchStove switch
Cop shopPolice station
Copper (police)Officer
Corner shopConvenience store
CorniceMolding
Council housePublic housing
CourthouseCourt building
Cream crackerSaltine cracker
CrècheDaycare

Differences Between American and British English

British EnglishAmerican English
Crocodile clipAlligator clip
Crossbar (bike)Top tube
CrosspatchGrouch
Cuddly toyPlush toy
Curtain railCurtain rod
CutlerySilverware
Daps (shoes)Sneakers
Debit cardBank card
DeckchairBeach chair
DelicatessenDeli
DemisterDefogger
DenturesFalse teeth
Derby (hat)Bowler hat
Directory enquiriesInformation line
DishtowelDishcloth
District nurseHome nurse
DiversionDetour
DoormatWelcome mat
Double creamHeavy cream
Drawing roomParlor
Dressing gownBathrobe
Drinks cupboardLiquor cabinet
Driving licenceDriver’s license
Dummy switchBlank switch
DustpanTrash pan

Most Common British and American English Words

British EnglishAmerican English
Egg cupEgg holder
Elastic bandRubber band
Engaged toneBusy signal
Estate carStation wagon
Face flannelFace cloth
Fairy cakeCupcake
Family allowanceChild benefit
Farm shopProduce stand
Fast lanePassing lane
Father-in-lawDad-in-law
FeteFair
Filing cabinetFile drawer
FirelighterFire starter
Firework rocketSkyrocket
First floorSecond floor
FishmongerFish seller
Fizzy waterSparkling water
FlannelgraphFelt board
Flashlight torchPocket light
Flat capNewsboy cap
FlowerbedGarden bed
Fly sprayBug spray
Fold-up bedRollaway bed
FootpathPathway
Form (school)Grade

Popular American and British English Vocabulary

British EnglishAmerican English
Fountain penInk pen
Fringe benefitPerk
Front roomLiving room
Full stopPeriod
Fund-raiserBenefit event
Funeral parlourFuneral home
Furnished flatFurnished apartment
FussDrama
GabardineTrench coat
GafferBoss
Games lessonGym class
Garden centrePlant store
Gents toiletMen’s room
GlasshouseGreenhouse
GoalieGoalkeeper
Going-away partyFarewell party
Goods liftFreight elevator
Goose pimplesGoosebumps
Gown (graduate)Graduation robe
GreengrocerProduce vendor
Green man (crossing)Walk signal
GreenflyAphid
Grill panBroiler pan
GroundsheetTarp
Guide dogService dog

Commonly British vs American English Words with Pictures

British EnglishAmerican English
Hair slideHair clip
Half termMidterm break
Hand brakeEmergency brake
Hand luggageCarry-on
Handbag strapPurse strap
HandkerchiefTissue
Hash (symbol)Pound sign
Head girlClass president
HeadteacherSchool principal
Head torchHeadlamp
Health visitorNurse practitioner
High streetDowntown
Hobby horseRocking horse
HoldallDuffel bag
Holiday homeVacation house
Homework bookPlanner
HooverVacuum
Hot tapHot faucet
House agentReal estate agent
HousecoatRobe
IceboxFreezer
Identity cardID card
Ignition keyCar key
Immediate paymentInstant payment
Inset dayTeacher workday

Easy British vs American English Words and images

British EnglishAmerican English
Invitation cardInvite
Ironmonger’sHardware store
ItineraryTrip plan
Jack plugAudio plug
JamjarJelly jar
Jigsaw puzzlePuzzle
Joint of meatRoast meat
Jumble saleYard sale
Junior schoolElementary school
Junk mailSpam mail
Kangaroo courtFake trial
Karzy (slang toilet)Bathroom
Keep-fit classFitness class
KettleWater boiler
KickaboutPickup game
King-size bedLarge bed
KitbagGear bag
KnickersPanties
Knock-up (tennis)Warm-up
Knock-on effectRipple effect
Lads’ nightGuys’ night
LamppostStreetlight
LandlineHome phone
LavatoryRestroom
Learner plateStudent driver tag
Easy British vs American English Words and images

Easy British vs American English Words and images


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About the author

mrmrsenglish.com

The Author is a Certified TEFL Trainer from Arizona State University having experience of 7 years in teaching English worldwide to the students with diverse culture. He is a passionate English language trainer by both profession and passion.

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