Varieties of English Vocabulary
From TEFL World Wiki
This page shows major differences in vocabulary between different Varieties of English.
Note: Australian English & New Zealand English are the same as British English unless noted otherwise
Road/Traffic
| American English | British English | Australian English | New Zealand English |
| automobile | car | ||
| cab | taxi | ||
| detour | diverson | ||
| divided highway | dual carriageway | ||
| expressway | motorway | ||
| fender | bumper, mudguard | ||
| flat | puncture, flat tyre | ||
| freeway | motorway | ||
| gas | petrol | ||
| gearshift | gear-stick, gear-lever | ||
| highway | main road | ||
| hood | bonnet | ||
| intersection | crossroads | ||
| motor | engine | ||
| muffler | silencer | ||
| oil pan | sump | ||
| patrolman | (traffic) policeman | ||
| drug store | chemist's | chemist/pharmacy | |
| elevator | lift | ||
| eraser | rubber | ||
| faculty | staff (university) | ||
| fall | autumn | ||
| pavement | road surface | ||
| sedan | saloon car | ||
| shoulder | verge | ||
| sidewalk | pavement | ||
| traffic circle | roundabout | ||
| trailer | caravan | ||
| truck | van, lorry | ||
| trunk | boot | ||
| turnpike | toll motorway | ||
| windshield | windscreen | ||
| wreck | crash |
Clothes/Accessories
| American English | British English | Australian English | New Zealand English |
| billfold | wallet | ||
| coin-purse | purse | ||
| cuffs | turn-ups (on trousers) | ||
| diaper | nappy | ||
| pants | trousers | ||
| pantyhose | tights | ||
| pocketbook, purse | handbag | ||
| shorts | underpants, pants | ||
| sneakers | trainers | ||
| suspenders | braces | ||
| undershirt | vest | ||
| vest | waistcoat | ||
| zipper | zip |
Miscellaneous
| American English | British English | Australian English | New Zealand English |
| afternoon | afternoon | arvo | afo/arvo |
| alumnus | graduate | ||
| anyplace | anywhere | ||
| apartment | flat | apartment/flat | |
| attorney | barrister, solicitor | lawyer | |
| baby-carriage | pram | ||
| bar | pub | ||
| billboard | hoarding | billboard | |
| broiler | grill | ||
| call-collect | reverse charge | ||
| can | tin | ||
| candy | sweets | lollies | |
| checkers | draughts | ||
| closet | cupboard | ||
| cookie | biscuit | ||
| corn | maize | corn | |
| crib | cot | ||
| dishtowel | tea-towel | ||
| drug store | chemist's | chemist/pharmacy | |
| elevator | lift | ||
| eraser | rubber | ||
| faculty | staff (university) | ||
| fall | autumn | ||
| faucet | tap | ||
| first floor | ground floor | ||
| flashlight | torch | ||
| garbage | rubbish | ||
| hobo | tramp | ||
| janitor | caretaker | ||
| kerosene | paraffin | kerosene | |
| liquor store | off-licence | bottle shop | |
| post | |||
| math | maths | ||
| mean | vicious | ||
| no place | nowhere | ||
| optometrist | oculist, optician | optometrist | |
| pacifier | dummy (for a baby) | ||
| pitcher | jug | ||
| potato chips | crisps | chips | |
| private hospital | nursing home | ||
| railroad | railway | ||
| Realtor | estate agent | ||
| rest room | toilet | ||
| rubber | condom | ||
| rubbers | Wellington boots | gum boots | gum boots |
| school | school, college, university | ||
| someplace | somewhere | ||
| spigot | tap | ||
| sponge off | sponge off | bludge | |
| spool | reel | ||
| store | shop | ||
| stove | cooker | ||
| stroller | push-chair | pusher | |
| subway | underground/tube | loop | |
| thumbtack | drawing pin | ||
| trash | rubbish | ||
| vacation | holiday |
