British English vs American English: 10 Everyday Words
How much British English do you know? Try our quiz and find out.
British and American English have many small differences, and the easiest place to start is vocabulary. Sometimes you can guess the American word, but sometimes it is completely different. Don't worry, even native speakers get confused!
Quiz: match the British and American words
Match each British English word (1 to 10) with its American English version (a to j). The first one is done for you: 1 = c.
British English
- bill (in a restaurant)
- boot (of a car)
- pocket money
- chips
- dummy (for a baby)
- dustbin
- trousers
- wellington boots / wellies
- sweets
- underground
American English
- a. rain boots
- b. French fries
- c. check
- d. pants
- e. trunk
- f. pacifier
- g. candy
- h. subway
- i. trash can / garbage can
- j. allowance
Answers and meanings
1. Bill (British) = Check (American)
When you want to pay in a restaurant, you ask for the bill: "Can I have the bill, please?"
2. Boot (British) = Trunk (American)
The space at the back of a car for bags. Watch out! A boot is also a type of shoe, and a trunk is also an elephant's nose!
3. Pocket money (British) = Allowance (American)
A small amount of money that parents give children each week to spend on things like sweets or toys.
4. Chips (British) = French fries (American)
A classic British takeaway is fish and chips. Watch out! In American English, "chips" means what British people call "crisps", like Pringles.
5. Dummy (British) = Pacifier (American)
A small plastic or rubber item that a baby sucks. Watch out! If you call someone "a dummy" in Britain, you're saying they're stupid!
6. Dustbin or bin (British) = Trash can or garbage can (American)
A container for rubbish. A dustbin is usually kept outside, and a bin is used inside the house.
7. Trousers (British) = Pants (American)
Clothing you wear on your legs, from your waist to your feet. Watch out! In British English, "pants" means underwear, so be careful saying "I like your pants" in Britain!
8. Wellies (British) = Rain boots (American)
Rubber boots that keep your feet dry. It rains a lot in England, so they're very useful!
9. Sweets (British) = Candy (American)
Sugary food that isn't good for your teeth. A chocolate bar in Britain is a candy bar in America.
10. Underground (British) = Subway (American)
Trains that travel in tunnels under a city. In London, people also call it "the Tube".
The British words in example sentences
- Shall we split the bill? (share it equally)
- There's not enough room in the boot for all your shopping!
- How much pocket money did you get as a child?
- Do you want salt and vinegar on your chips?
- My baby stops crying when I give her a dummy.
- The bin needs emptying because it's full.
- You can try the trousers on in the shop.
- You need wellies at a music festival in England!
- I always buy a bag of sweets when I go to the cinema.
- The Underground is a good way to travel around London.
Tips to help you remember new words
Did you find the quiz difficult? Was it easier to understand the words from the meanings or from the example sentences? Most people find sentences easier, because learning words in context helps you understand and remember them.
- Learn words in context. Don't just learn single words. Read the whole sentence to understand how a word is used.
- Use an English to English dictionary. Translating everything into your own language can give you the wrong meaning. The Cambridge Dictionary is a great free option and shows both British and American pronunciation.
- Write a personal sentence. When you learn a new word, write it in a sentence that means something to you. For example, instead of just writing "bill", write: "I went to Pizza Express with John and I paid the bill." This helps you remember both the word and the phrase "to pay the bill".
More British vs American English
Colour or color? Theatre or theater? Learn the most common spelling differences and the simple patterns behind them in our British vs American English spelling guide.
Want to learn more British English?
In one to one lessons on Zoom, you'll learn natural British English words and phrases, practise using them in real conversations and get feedback on your pronunciation. Every lesson is built around your interests. Find out more about lessons and courses .