British vs American English: Spelling, Vocabulary and Usage Differences

British and American English are mutually intelligible, but they differ in spelling, vocabulary and some grammar habits. Knowing the main patterns helps you read, write and choose consistently.

Why they differ

American spelling was shaped partly by lexicographer Noah Webster, whose early nineteenth-century dictionaries promoted simpler spellings such as color and center. British spelling kept many French-influenced forms. Vocabulary diverged as the two communities developed separately.

Spelling patterns

• -our vs -or: colour / color, favourite / favorite, neighbour / neighbor
• -re vs -er: centre / center, theatre / theater, metre / meter
• -ise vs -ize: organise / organize, recognise / recognize (Oxford style uses -ize in British writing, too)
• -ence vs -ense: licence (noun) / license; defence / defense
• -ogue vs -og: catalogue / catalog, dialogue / dialog (dialogue is still common in both)
• Double l: travelling / traveling, cancelled / canceled, jewellery / jewelry
• Other: grey / gray, cheque / check, plough / plow, tyre / tire, programme / program

Vocabulary pairs

British	American
lift	elevator
flat	apartment
biscuit	cookie
crisps	chips
chips	fries
boot (of a car)	trunk
bonnet	hood
petrol	gas
pavement	sidewalk
holiday	vacation
rubbish	trash
queue	line
trainers	sneakers
jumper	sweater
autumn	fall
torch	flashlight
mobile phone	cell phone

Some words mean different things: pants is underwear in Britain and trousers in the US; a public school is private in Britain and state-run in the US.

Grammar and usage

• Collective nouns: British English often treats teams as plural (the team are winning), American English as singular (the team is winning).
• Past tense: learnt, spelt and dreamt are common in British English, learned, spelled and dreamed in American.
• Have vs have got, got vs gotten: Americans use gotten as the past participle of get.
• Prepositions: at the weekend / on the weekend; Monday to Friday / Monday through Friday.
• Dates: 5 October 2026 versus October 5, 2026; and 05/10/2026 means different things.

Other varieties

Canadian, Australian, Irish, Indian, South African and other Englishes each mix features of the two. Canada, for example, uses -our spellings with -ize, centre and cheque (as in Britain), but tire and curb (as in the US).

Which should you use?

• Follow your audience. Write for British readers in British English, and for American readers in American English.
• Follow your institution, such as a school, employer or publisher style guide.
• Be consistent. Don't mix colour and organize in one document unless a style guide says so.
• Set your spell-checker to the right variety.

For learners and exams

Most exams accept either variety, as long as you're consistent. Check the instructions for any specific requirement.

Dictionary tips

Good dictionaries label regional spellings and vocabulary, such as "British" or "US". Check the label if you're unsure which form fits your context.

Practice

Take a paragraph you've written, and convert it from one variety to the other. Note every change you make.

Check spelling and word meanings with English Dictionary →