Are you confused by the differences between American English and British English? What’s the difference between the first floor and the ground floor? What’s the difference between pants and trousers? Do you put gas or petrol in your car?

Even native speakers of English are sometimes confused by these differences! To help you, here is a list of common British English words. But before you look at the list, it is important to remember some differences between American and British English.

1. Spelling
There are some differences in spelling between American and British English. Words that end in -or in American English end in -our in British English. For example, color is colour in British English.

Some words that end in -er in American English end in -re in British English. For example, center/centre or theater/theatre.

Some words that end in -ze in American English end in -se in British English. For example, analyze/analyse or specialize/specialise.

2. Buildings
When British and American people start talking about buildings it can become very confusing very quickly! If an American person says they will meet you on the first floor, and a British person says they will meet you on the first floor, they mean two very different places! Why?

Because the first floor in American English is the same as the ground floor in British English.

So, an American person will say:
First floor
Second floor
Third floor
Fourth floor
Etc.

But a British person will say:
Ground floor
First floor
Second floor
Third floor
Etc.

Apartment in American English is the same as flat in British English. For example, I live in a two-bedroom flat.

Bathroom and restroom in American English are the same as toilet in British English. For example, Where is the toilet?

Elevator in American English is the same as lift in British English. For example, Take the lift to the first floor.

3. Food
Chips or potato chips in American English are the same as crisps in British English. For example, I ate a packet of crisps while I watched the movie.

Fries in American English are the same as chips in British English. This is why British people say Fish and chips and not Fish and fries!

So be careful … the British meaning of chips and the American meaning are very different!

Also, ketchup in American English is the same as tomato sauce in British English. For example, I put some tomato sauce on my chips.

Cookies in American English are the same as biscuits in British English.

4. Transport
Many words about cars and driving are different in American and British English.

Gas in American English is the same as petrol in British English. For example, I need to put some more petrol in my car.

For British speakers, the word gas means natural gas.

Hood in American English is the same as bonnet in British English, and trunk in US English is the same as boot in UK English. For example, I opened the bonnet and checked the engine. And, I put my suitcase in the boot.

Also, American people say subway but Britsh people say tube.

And truck in US English is the same as lorry in UK English.

5. Clothes
Okay, this one is very confusing!

In US English men wear pants, but in UK English men wear trousers.

But in UK English pants means the same thing as (boxer) shorts or underpants in US English!

So, a British man will say, I put on my pants, and then I put on my trousers, but an American man will say, I put on my (boxer) shorts, and then I put on my pants.

To be even more confusing, shorts in UK English means the same thing as short pants in US English! For example a British person will say, In the summer I usually wear shorts and a t-shirt.

Also, a sweater in American English is the same as a jumper in British English. For example, It’s very cold today, so you should put on a jumper.

6. Others
Here are some other differences.

Garbage (US) = Rubbish (UK)
Drugstore (US) = Chemist or pharmacy (UK)
Flashlight (US) = Torch (UK)
Pen (US) = Biro (UK)

Of course, there are many other differences between British English and American English, but these are some of the most common (and confusing) ones.

Also, please check this list by dark!

And, if you want to practice the differences between UK and US English, try this and this crossword by dark!