When it comes to vocabulary, American English differs significantly from British English. Sometimes the same word has different meaning. There are also different words with the same meaning. A few examples are given below.
| American English |
British English |
| Airplane |
Aeroplane |
| Apartment |
Flat/ apartment |
| Area code |
Dialling code |
| Attorney, lawyer |
Barrister, solicitor |
| Busy |
Engaged (phone) |
| Cab/taxi |
Taxi |
| Can |
Tin |
| Candy |
Sweets |
| Check/bill |
Bill |
| Cookie, cracker |
Biscuit |
| Corn |
Maize |
| Crib |
Cot |
| Crazy |
Mad |
| Diaper |
Nappy |
| Dumb, stupid |
Stupid |
| Elevator |
Lift |
| Eraser |
Rubber, eraser |
| Fall, autumn |
Autumn |
| Faucet, tap |
Tap |
| First floor, second floor |
Ground floor, first floor |
| Flashlight |
Torch |
| French fries |
Chips |
| Garbage, trash |
Rubbish |
| Garbage can, trashcan |
Dustbin, rubbish bin |
| Gas, gasoline |
Petrol |
| Highway, freeway |
Main road, motorway |
| Hood |
Bonnet |
| Intersection |
Crossroads |
| Mad |
Angry |
| Mail |
Post |
| Mean |
Nasty |
| Movie, film |
Film |
| Pants, trousers |
Trousers |
| Pavement |
Road surface |
| Pitcher |
Jug |
| Potato chips |
Crisps |
| Purse |
Handbag |
| Raise |
Rise (salary) |
| Railroad |
Railway |
| Rest room |
Public toilet |
| Schedule, timetable |
Timetable |
| Sneakers |
Trainers (sports shoes) |
| Stand in line |
Queue |
| Stingy |
Mean |
| Store, shop |
Shop |
| Subway |
Underground |
| Truck |
Van, lorry |
| Trunk |
Boot (of a car) |
| Stand in line |
Queue |
| Two weeks |
Fortnight, two weeks |
| Vacation |
Holiday(s) |
| Windshield |
Windscreen |
| Zee |
Zed |
| Stand in line |
Queue |
| Zipper |
Zip |
|
