There are many British words which are different to American words. For example:
- A lorry is a slimmer truck.
- A lift is an elevator.
- A fortnight is two weeks.
- A chemist is a person who works in a drugstore.
- A dual carriageway is a freeway.
Here’s a list of various British words and expressions together with their American and Singaporean equivalents. Although Singapore English is based on British spelling, there is a mix of British and American usage for common words. I’ve also included a few Singlish words/phrases for a bit of fun.
I would really like your thoughts and input to help with this list. Please comment below.
British English | American English | Singapore English |
| accommodation | accommodations | accommodation |
| action replay | instant replay | replay |
| aerofoil | airfoil | aerofoil |
| aeroplane | airplane | aeroplane |
| agony aunt | advice columnist | aunt agony |
| Allen key | Allen wrench | allen key |
| aluminium | aluminum | aluminium |
| aniseed | anise | anise |
| anticlockwise | counterclockwise | anticlockwise |
| articulated lorry | tractor-trailer | trailer |
| aubergine | eggplant | brinjal / eggplant |
| autumn | fall | autumn |
| baking tray | cookie sheet | baking tray |
| bank holiday | legal holiday | public holiday |
| beetroot | beet(s) | beetroot |
| bill | check | bill |
| biscuit | cookie; cracker | biscuit |
| black economy | underground economy | black market |
| blanket bath | sponge bath | sponge bath |
| blind | (window) shade | blind |
| block of flats | apartment building | HDB |
| boiler suit | coveralls | coveralls |
| bonnet (of a car) | hood | bonnet |
| boob tube | tube top | tube top |
| boot (of a car) | trunk | boot |
| bottom drawer | hope chest | bottom drawer |
| bowls | lawn bowling | – |
| braces | suspenders | suspenders |
| brawn (the food) | headcheese | – |
| breakdown van | tow truck | tow truck |
| breeze block | cinder block | concrete block |
| bridging loan | bridge loan | bridging loan |
| bumbag | fanny pack | waist pouch |
| candyfloss | cotton candy | candyfloss / cotton candy |
| car park | parking lot | car park |
| casualty | emergency room | emergency room (A&E) |
| catapult | slingshot | catapult |
| central reservation | median strip | road divider |
| chemist | drugstore | pharmacy |
| chips | French fries | fries |
| cinema | movie theater; the movies | cinema |
| cling film | plastic wrap | cling wrap |
| common seal | harbor seal | seal |
| consumer durables | durable goods | electricals |
| cooker | stove | stove |
| cornflour | cornstarch | cornflour |
| cos (lettuce) | Romaine | lettuce / Romaine |
| cot | crib | cot |
| cot death | crib death | cot death |
| cotton bud | cotton swab | cotton bud |
| cotton wool | absorbent cotton | cotton wool |
| council estate | (housing) project | HDB estate |
| courgette | zucchini | zucchini |
| court card | face card | ‘ah beh’ |
| crash barrier | guardrail | divider |
| crisps | chips; potato chips | potato chips |
| crocodile clip | alligator clip | crocodile clip |
| cross-ply | bias-ply | cross-ply |
| crotchet (music) | quarter note | crotchet |
| curtains | drapes | curtains |
| current account | checking account | current account |
| danger money | hazard pay | extra pay |
| demister (in a car) | defroster | demister |
| dialling tone | dial tone | dialling tone |
| diamante | rhinestone | diamante |
| double cream | heavy cream | double cream |
| draughts (game) | checkers | checkers / lum |
| drawing pin | thumbtack | thumbtack |
| dressing gown | robe; bathrobe | robe / bathrobe |
| drink-driving | drunk driving | drink-driving |
| drinks cupboard | liquor cabinet | wine cabinet |
| drinks party | cocktail party | cocktail party |
| driving licence | driver’s license | driver’s licence |
| dual carriageway | divided highway | dual carriageway |
| dummy (for a baby) | pacifier | pacifier |
| dust sheet | drop cloth | canvas |
| dustbin | garbage can | dustbin |
| earth (electrical) | ground | earth |
| engaged (of a phone) | busy | engaged |
| estate agent | real estate agent, realtor (trademark) | real estate agent |
| estate car | station wagon | station wagon |
| ex-directory | unlisted | unlisted |
| faith school | parochial school | mission school |
| financial year | fiscal year | financial |
| fire brigade/service | fire company/department | civil defence |
| first floor | second floor | second floor |
| fish finger | fish stick | fish finger |
| fitted carpet | wall-to-wall carpeting | wall-to-wall carpeting |
| flannel | washcloth | towel / rag |
| flat | apartment | HDB apartment |
| flexitime | flextime | flexitime |
| flick knife | switchblade | switchblade |
| flyover | overpass | flyover |
| football | soccer | football / soccer |
| footway | sidewalk | sidewalk |
| fringe (hair) | bangs | fringe |
| full board (in hotels) | American plan | full board |
| full stop (punctuation) | period | full stop |
| garden | yard; lawn | garden |
| gearing (finance) | leverage | leverage |
| gear lever | gearshift | gear |
| goods train | freight train | train |
| greaseproof paper | wax paper/waxed paper | wax paper |
| green fingers | green thumb | green fingers |
| grill (noun) | broiler | grill |
| grill (verb) | broil | grill |
| ground floor | first floor | first floor |
| groundsman | groundskeeper | gardener |
| hairslide | barrette | hair clip |
| hatstand | hatrack | hatstand |
| hen night | bachelorette party | hen night |
| hire purchase | installment plan | hire purchase / installment plan |
| hoarding | billboard | hoarding |
| hob | stovetop | hob / stove |
| holdall | carryall | carryall |
| holiday | vacation | holiday |
| holidaymaker | vacationer | tourist |
| homely | homey | homely |
| hosepipe | (garden) hose | hose |
| in hospital | in the hospital | in hospital |
| hot flush | hot flash | hot flush |
| housing estate | housing development | HDB estate |
| hundreds and thousands | sprinkles (for ice cream) | rainbow topping |
| ice lolly | Popsicle (trademark) | ice cream |
| icing sugar | confectioners’ sugar | icing sugar |
| indicator (on a car) | turn signal | indicator |
| inside leg | inseam | inseam |
| jelly babies | jelly beans | jelly beans |
| Joe Bloggs | Joe Blow | Tom, Dick or Harry |
| Joe Public | John Q. Public | Mr Tan |
| jumble sale | rummage sale | flea market |
| jump lead | jumper cable | starter cable |
| jumper | sweater | sweater |
| junior school | elementary school | primary school |
| kennel | doghouse | doghouse |
| ladybird | ladybug | ladybird |
| a lettuce | a head of lettuce | a lettuce |
| level crossing | grade crossing | train crossing |
| lift | elevator | lift |
| lolly | Popsicle (trademark) | lollipop |
| lollipop lady (or man) | crossing guard | road marshal |
| loo (toilet) | john | toilet |
| loose cover | slipcover | sofa cover |
| lorry | truck | lorry |
| loudhailer | bullhorn | loudhailer / megaphone |
| low loader | flatbed truck | flatbed truck |
| lucky dip | grab bag | lucky dip |
| luggage van | baggage car | minivan |
| maize | corn | corn |
| mangetout | snow pea | snow pea |
| market garden | truck farm | – |
| marshalling yard | railroad yard | – |
| maths | math | maths |
| metalled road | paved road | paved road |
| milometer | odometer | odometer |
| minim (music) | half note | minim |
| mobile phone | cell phone | hand phone |
| monkey tricks | monkeyshines | monkey tricks |
| motorway | expressway; highway | expressway |
| mum/mummy | mom/mommy | mum / mummy |
| nappy | diaper | diaper |
| needlecord | pinwale | punwale |
| newsreader | newscaster | newscaster |
| noughts and crosses | tic-tac-toe | tic-tac-toe |
| number plate | license plate | licence plate |
| off-licence | liquor store; package store | wine shop |
| opencast mining | open-pit mining | open-pit mining |
| ordinary share | common stock | ordinary share |
| oven glove | oven mitt | oven glove / mitt |
| paddling pool | wading pool | wading pool |
| paracetamol | acetaminophen | paracetamol |
| parting (in hair) | part | parting |
| patience | solitaire | solitaire |
| pavement | sidewalk | pavement |
| pay packet | pay envelope | pay |
| pedestrian crossing | crosswalk | pedestrian crossing |
| peg | clothespin | clothes peg |
| pelmet | valance | pelmet / valance |
| petrol | gas; gasoline | petrol |
| physiotherapy | physical therapy | physiotherapy |
| pinafore dress | jumper | pinafore dress |
| plain chocolate | dark chocolate | dark chocolate |
| plain flour | all-purpose flour | plain flour |
| polo neck | turtleneck | polo neck / turtleneck |
| positive discrimination | reverse discrimination | discrimination |
| postal vote | absentee ballot | absentee vote |
| postbox | mailbox | postbox / mailbox |
| postcode | zip code | postal code |
| potato crisp | potato chip | potato chip |
| power point | electrical outlet | power point |
| pram | baby carriage; stroller | pram / stroller |
| press stud | snap | snap |
| press-up | pushup | pushup |
| private soldier | GI | private soldier |
| public school | private school | independent school |
| public transport | public transportation | public transport |
| punchbag | punching bag | punching bag |
| pushchair | stroller | pram / stroller |
| pylon | utility pole | power grid |
| quantity surveyor | estimator | quantity surveyor |
| quaver (music) | eighth note | quaver |
| queue | line | queue |
| racing car | race car | race car |
| railway | railroad | railway |
| real tennis | court tennis | tennis |
| recorded delivery | certified mail | registered mail |
| registration plate | license plate | license plate |
| remould (tyre) | retread | retread |
| reverse the charges | call collect | call collect |
| reversing lights | back-up lights | reversing lights |
| right-angled triangle | right triangle | right-angle triangle |
| ring road | beltway | ring road |
| room only | European plan | room only |
| roundabout (at a fair) | carousel | roundabout |
| roundabout (in road) | traffic circle | roundabout |
| rowing boat | rowboat | rowing boat |
| rubber | eraser | rubber / eraser |
| sailing boat | sailboat | sailing boat |
| saloon (car) | sedan | saloon |
| sandpit | sandbox | sandpit |
| sandwich cake | layer cake | layer cake |
| sanitary towel | sanitary napkin | sanitary napkin |
| self-raising flour | self-rising flour | self-raising flour |
| sellotape | scotch tape | scotch tape |
| semibreve (music) | whole note | semibreve |
| semitone (music) | half step | semitone |
| share option | stock option | share option |
| shopping trolley | shopping cart | shopping trolley |
| show house/home | model home | showflat |
| silencer (on a car) | muffler | muffler |
| silverside | rump roast | rump roast |
| skeleton in the cupboard | skeleton in the closet | skeleton in then closet |
| skimmed milk | skim milk | skim milk |
| skipping rope | jump rope | skipping rope |
| skirting board | baseboard | skirting |
| sledge | sled | sled |
| sleeper | railroad tie | sleeper |
| sleeping partner | silent partner | sleeping partner |
| slowcoach | slowpoke | slowcoach / chia bo yiu |
| snakes and ladders | chutes and ladders | snakes and ladders |
| solicitor | lawyer | lawyer |
| soya/soya bean | soy/soybean | soya bean |
| splashback | backsplash | backsplash |
| spring onion | green onion | spring onion |
| stag night | bachelor party | bachelor party |
| Stanley knife | utility knife | utility knife |
| starter | appetizer | starter / appetizer |
| state school | public school | government school |
| storm in a teacup | tempest in a teapot | storm in a teacup |
| surtitle | supertitle | surtitle |
| swede | rutabaga | turnip |
| sweet(s) | candy | sweet |
| takeaway (food) | takeout; to go | dabao |
| tap | faucet | tap |
| taxi | cab | taxi / cab |
| taxi rank | taxi stand | taxi stand |
| tea towel | dish towel | dish cloth |
| terrace house | row house | terrace house |
| tick | check mark | tick |
| ticket tout | scalper | scalper |
| tights | pantyhose | stockings |
| timber | lumber | timber |
| titbit | tidbit | tidbit |
| toffee apple | candy apple | candy apple |
| torch | flashlight | torch / flashlight |
| touch wood | knock on wood | touch wood |
| trade union | labor union | trade union |
| trading estate | industrial park | industrial park |
| trainers | sneakers | sports shoes |
| tram | streetcar; cable car | tram |
| transport cafe | truck stop | – |
| trolley | shopping cart | trolley |
| trousers | pants | pants |
| twelve-bore | twelve-gauge | gun |
| unalike | unlike | unlike |
| underground | subway | MRT |
| vacuum flask | thermos bottle | thermos flask |
| verge (of a road) | shoulder | shoulder |
| vest | undershirt | singlet |
| veterinary surgeon | veterinarian | vet |
| wagon (on a train) | car | car |
| waistcoat | vest | vest |
| walking frame | walker | walking frame |
| wardrobe | closet | wardrobe / cupboard |
| water ice | Italian ice | slurpee |
| weatherboard | clapboard | – |
| white coffee | coffee with cream | white coffee / Kopi |
| white spirit | mineral spirits | turpentine |
| wholemeal bread | wholewheat bread | wholemeal bread |
| windcheater | windbreaker | windbraker |
| windscreen | windshield | windscreen |
| wing (of a car) | fender | fender |
| worktop | countertop | countertop |
| Yale lock | cylinder lock | lock |
| zebra crossing | crosswalk | zebra crossing |
| zed (letter Z) | zee | zed / zee |
| zip | zipper | zip |
List taken from Oxford Dictionary Online (excluding Singapore part).
Thanks to: Abel Teo, Mandy Lim, Ellen Tan, Honey Lim and Kevin Beitler for all your contributions. Extra credit to Abel for his comprehensive spreadsheet of terms 🙂
More comparisons between British and American English
awsome site great to learn
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