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
[…] AMD Pronunciation Studio: British vs American vs Singapore English – Empty Vessel: When Singapore drivers become boiled frogs – Money Smart Blog: 4 Tips […]