Spelling Differences Between British English and American English
British and American English are the two most common versions of the language used worldwide. While they share the same roots, they differ subtly in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Spelling, in particular, highlights these unique identities.
Here are the key spelling differences between the two:
| British English | American English |
| accelerator accommodation action replay aerial aerofoil aeroplane agony aunt aluminium angry aniseed anorak anticlockwise anywhere appetizer articulated lorry asymmetric bars aubergine autumn baking tray bank note barrister base rate beetroot bill bin, dustbin biro biscuit block of flats boiler suit bonnet boob tube boot bottom drawer bowls braces breakdown van breeze block bridging loan candy floss car park caravan caretaker casualty catalogue catapult centre |
gas pedal, accelerator accommodations instant replay antenna airfoil airplane advice columnist aluminum mad anise jacket, parka counterclockwise anyplace starter trailer truck uneven bars eggplant fall cookie sheet bill attorney prime rate beet check garbage can/trash can ball-point pen cookie apartment building coveralls hood tube top trunk hope chest lawn bowling suspenders tow truck cinder block bridge loan cotton candy parking lot trailer janitor emergency room catalog slingshot center |
| chemist chips cinema cling film clothes peg coffin colour common seal constable cooker cornflour cosy cot cotton cotton bud court card crash crash barrier crisps crocodile clip cross-ply crossroads current account curriculum vitae (CV) curtains danger money dialling tone dinner jacket directory enquiries diversion double cream draught draughts drawing pin dressing gown drink-driving drinks cupboard drinks party driving licence dual carriageway dummy dust sheet dustbin dustman duvet dynamo |
drugstore French fries movies plastic wrap clothespin coffin, casket color harbor seal patrolman stove cornstarch cozy crib thread cotton swab face card wreck guardrail chips alligator clip bias-ply intersection checking account resume drapes hazard pay dial tone tux, tuxedo directory assistance detour heavy cream draft checkers thumbtack robe, bathrobe drunk driving liquor cabinet cocktail party driver’s license divided highway pacifier drop cloth garbage can, trash can garbage collector comforter generator |
