While English is spoken in both the United Kingdom and the United States, some everyday British words are quite different from their American counterparts. When you order the traditional fish and chips, don’t expect potato chips. British chips are, in fact, American fries!
In this guide, you’ll learn some common differences between British and American words to ensure you know what food you’re ordering, don’t put the wrong fuel in your hire car (rental car), or suffer misunderstandings on your British holiday (vacation).
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Words for British travel essentials
Knowing to look for a cash machine (ATM) to withdraw cash at the airport, to head to the high street (main street) for the best shopping, or to ask for paracetamol (Tylenol/acetaminophen) at the shop (store) when you have an unexpected headache are just some examples of how it helps to know a few of the ways that British words differ from American English words.
This mix of helpful vocabulary words will make your experience easy and enjoyable.
| British English | American English |
| 999 | 911 |
| autumn | fall |
| bank holiday | national/state holiday |
| cash machine | ATM |
| dustbin/rubbish bin | trash/garbage can |
| flat | apartment |
| football | soccer |
| ground floor | first floor |
| high street | main street |
| holiday | vacation |
| lift | elevator |
| mobile phone | cell phone |
| paracetamol (painkiller) | acetaminophen |
| plaster | bandaid |
| pushchair | stroller |
| rubbish | trash/garbage |
| shop | store |
| tap | faucet |
| torch | flashlight |
Food and dining words
A huge part of any holiday (vacation) is food and dining. Some of the more well-known language differences exist in this category of words. For example, crisps in British English are “chips” in American English, but chips in the UK are “fries” in the US.
Take a look at a few of the most common British English food words that differ from the US.
| British English | American English |
| aubergine | eggplant |
| bill | check |
| biscuit | cookie |
| boiled sweet | hard candy |
| candy floss | cotton candy |
| chips | fries |
| courgette | zucchini |
| crisps | chips |
| fizzy drink | soda/pop |
| gherkin | pickle |
| ice lolly | popsicle |
| jacket potato | baked potato |
| mince | ground beef |
| pub | bar (that serves meals) |
| rocket | arugula |
| sweets | candy |
| takeaway | takeout |
Words to know for getting around
Whether you’re taking the underground (subway) around London or venturing out into the beautiful British countryside in your hire car (rental car), there are a few words you need to know before hitting the road.
| British English | American English |
| bonnet | hood |
| boot | trunk |
| car park | parking lot |
| dual carriageway | divided highway |
| gearbox | transmission |
| give way sign | yield sign |
| hire car | rental car |
| lorry | truck |
| motorway | freeway/highway |
| number plate | license plate |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| petrol | gas/gasoline |
| petrol station/garage | gas station |
| postcode | zip code |
| roundabout | traffic circle |
| slip road | off/on ramp |
| the underground | the subway |
| windscreen | windshield |
| zebra crossing | crosswalk |
British clothing words
While this list is not extensive, the differences in words for specific items of clothing might help you avoid a potentially awkward situation. Remember that “pants” will probably be understood as underwear in the UK, but you might also hear a local say something is pants, which means it’s rubbish (trash), as in poor quality or nonsense.
| British English | American English |
| jumper | sweater |
| knickers | women’s panties |
| pants | men’s underwear |
| plait | braid |
| trainers | sneakers |
| trousers | pants |
Common British slang words
The UK has many English dialects, so the slang you’re likely to hear will depend on which regions and cities you visit. Who you spend your time with will also be a factor, because different generations also have very different slang. That said, here are a few common British slang words you might hear in the pub (bar) that will certainly be different from American slang.
| British English | American English |
| banter | joking/teasing |
| cheers | cheers/thanks/bye |
| chuffed | very pleased |
| cuppa | cup of tea (often paired with a chat) |
| dodgy | sketchy |
| gutted | disappointed |
| innit | isn’t it |
| knackered | exhausted |
| loo | bathroom |
| mate | friend/buddy (often used sarcastically) |
| pants | poor quality/nonsense |
| quid | pounds (currency) |
How is British English different from American English?
These two English-speaking countries do have some language differences, mainly in punctuation, pronunciation, and spelling. When it comes to speaking, there’s no need to worry about being understood when you visit Britain. If you speak American English, British English speakers will have no trouble understanding you, and vice versa. There is, however, some variation, and being aware of some British English words will help you enjoy the local culture that much more.
Date formatting differences
Another important difference to keep in mind is how dates are formatted. You’ll want to remember this, so you don’t get the day and the month mixed up when checking your travel schedule!
- In British English, dates are formatted by day, then month, and end with the year (dd/mm/yyyy)
- 25/12/2026 = Christmas Day
- In American English, the format mm/dd/yyyy is more common.
- 12/25/2026 = Christmas Day
British punctuation differences
Besides the fact that what you call a full stop (period) and inverted commas (quotation marks) differ in British and American English, there are other departures in punctuation style.
While this will matter mostly to those writing, it’s worth noting that British English uses single quotation marks over the American-preferred double quotation marks for dialogue and quotes. British English uses double quotation marks for nested quotes.
- ‘I don’t know where the tea is’, she said. (British)
- “I don’t know where the tea is,” she said. (American)
- ‘My favourite quote is “to be or not to be” from Shakespear’s Hamlet’, he explained. (British)
- “My favorite quote is ‘to be or not to be’ from Shakespeare’s Hamlet,” he explained. (American)
You’ll also notice in the examples above that other punctuation differences concern quotation marks. In American English, the comma and period are placed within the quotation marks, whereas British English places them outside.
- ‘It’s wonderful to be here’, said Lucy. (British)
- “It’s wonderful to be here,” said Lucy. (American)
British spelling differences
The double “l” in traveller (traveler), the “u” in colour (color), the “c” in defence (defense), the preference for “-ise” over “-ize” as in organise (organize), and the use of “-re” over “-er” in centre (center) are all examples of the British spelling of words.
Along with Big Ben, red double-decker buses, and black taxis, the British English accent is pretty iconic. If you want to speak like the British, Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent pronunciation will help you sound like a local without falling into common pronunciation pitfalls.
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