British & American English Word List

AluminumMedium

ClueAluminium; America removes a syllable, as though kitchen foil needed a crash diet.

Explanationaluminium

AnalogMedium

ClueAnalogue, as opposed to digital; America removes the ending before complaining about old technology.

Explanationanalogue

AnalyzeMedium

ClueAnalyse; America substitutes a letter before subjecting anything to proper scrutiny.

Explanationanalyse

Answering machineHard

ClueAn answerphone; America makes the small recorder sound like an industrial installation.

Explanationanswerphone

ApartmentEasy

ClueA flat; America requires a grander name before agreeing to live upstairs.

Explanationflat

AppetizerEasy

ClueA starter before the main course; America gives the little dish an unnecessarily ambitious job description.

Explanationstarter

ArugulaEasy

ClueRocket leaves in a salad; America rejects a perfectly good space-age vegetable name.

Explanationrocket

Baking sodaHard

ClueBicarbonate of soda; America chops the chemistry down to something it can put on a box.

Explanationbicarbonate of soda

BangsEasy

ClueA fringe over the forehead; America describes a haircut as though it were an explosion.

Explanationfringe

BarretteEasy

ClueA hair slide; America dresses the little clip in a rather grand borrowed name.

Explanationhair slide

BaseboardEasy

ClueA skirting board along a wall; America gives this trim a name with all the charm of a spreadsheet.

Explanationskirting board

BathrobeEasy

ClueA dressing gown; America appears to think one must have a bath before wearing it.

Explanationdressing gown

BathroomEasy

ClueA toilet in everyday US conversation; America advertises a bath that may not exist.

Explanationtoilet

BeetEasy

ClueBeetroot; America removes the part that tells us which bit has been dug up.

Explanationbeetroot

BehaviorMedium

ClueBehaviour; America loses a letter before the manners have even been assessed.

Explanationbehaviour

BillboardEasy

ClueAn advertising hoarding; America gives the giant sales pitch a name that might demand payment.

Explanationhoarding

BlinkerEasy

ClueAnother US name for an indicator; apparently the lamp's one movement is the whole explanation.

Explanationindicator

Bobby pinEasy

ClueA hair grip; Americans apparently expect a chap called Bobby to hold it in place.

Explanationhair grip

BroilerEasy

ClueThe grill in an oven; America apparently needs a different word for heat from above.

Explanationgrill

BurnerEasy

ClueA hob ring used for cooking; America names it after the obvious consequence of touching it.

Explanationhob ring

Busy signalHard

ClueAn engaged tone on the telephone; America sounds offended that someone else is having a conversation.

Explanationengaged tone

CanceledMedium

ClueCancelled; America cancels one of the doubled letters as well as the arrangement.

Explanationcancelled

CandyEasy

ClueSweets; America apparently finds the ordinary adjective too informative to keep.

Explanationsweets

Candy appleHard

ClueA toffee apple with a hard sugar coating; America has rebranded the dentist's next appointment.

Explanationtoffee apple

Carry-onEasy

ClueHand luggage; America gives the small suitcase an order to continue.

Explanationhand luggage

CartEasy

ClueA shopping trolley; America makes the weekly groceries sound like a horse's responsibility.

Explanationshopping trolley

CatalogMedium

ClueCatalogue; America discards the ending before inviting us to buy several hundred unnecessary things.

Explanationcatalogue

Cell phoneEasy

ClueA mobile phone; America gives a portable gadget a name that suggests imprisonment.

Explanationmobile phone

CenterMedium

ClueCentre; America rearranges the ending as though the building had been put up facing the wrong way.

Explanationcentre

CheckEasy

ClueThe bill after a restaurant meal; America asks for an inspection when the damage is already done.

Explanationbill

CheckeredMedium

ClueChequered, as on a patterned cloth; America replaces the fancy spelling with a tidier grid.

Explanationchequered

CilantroEasy

ClueFresh coriander leaves; Americans insist on a second name before putting them on dinner.

Explanationcoriander

ClosetEasy

ClueA built-in wardrobe; Americans make storing clothes sound like hiding a state secret.

Explanationwardrobe

CoachEasy

ClueEconomy class on a flight; America borrows Britain's bus to describe the cheap seats in the sky.

Explanationeconomy class

Collect callHard

ClueA reverse-charge call; America says it will collect something without admitting it is the money.

Explanationreverse-charge call

ColorMedium

ClueColour; America removes a letter, apparently to save enough ink for the next enormous road sign.

Explanationcolour

ComforterEasy

ClueA quilt for the bed; America's name suggests the bedding should offer emotional counselling.

Explanationquilt

Confectioners' sugarHard

ClueAnother US name for icing sugar; apparently decorating a cake requires professional credentials.

Explanationicing sugar

CookieEasy

ClueA sweet biscuit; America gives this tea companion a new name and forgets the tea.

Explanationbiscuit

CornstarchHard

ClueCornflour for thickening sauces; America must specify its chemical job before dinner can proceed.

Explanationcornflour

CotEasy

ClueA camp bed; America borrows a British baby's sleeping place for the adult version.

Explanationcamp bed

Cotton candyHard

ClueCandyfloss; America pretends spun sugar belongs in the textile department.

Explanationcandyfloss

CountertopHard

ClueA kitchen worktop; America makes the surface sound like a minor achievement in arithmetic.

Explanationworktop

CoverallsEasy

ClueA boiler suit; America has promoted this garment into a total-coverage manifesto.

Explanationboiler suit

CribEasy

ClueA baby's cot; America chooses a word that also suggests copying someone else's homework.

Explanationcot

Crossing guardHard

ClueA lollipop person helping children across the road; America removes the only cheerful bit of the job.

Explanationlollipop person

CrosswalkEasy

ClueA pedestrian crossing; America reduces road safety to a small two-part instruction.

Explanationpedestrian crossing

CurbMedium

ClueKerb at the road edge; America borrows the spelling of restraint for something drivers still hit.

Explanationkerb

Dead endEasy

ClueA cul-de-sac; America replaces a graceful French phrase with a small announcement of doom.

Explanationcul-de-sac

DefenseMedium

ClueDefence; America swaps a letter, evidently hoping the spelling will protect itself.

Explanationdefence

DessertEasy

CluePudding as the sweet course; America apparently needs a different word to escape eating its greens.

Explanationpudding

DetourEasy

ClueA traffic diversion; America's word offers no more hope of arriving on time.

Explanationdiversion

DialogMedium

ClueDialogue; a shorter US spelling, because apparently even a conversation needs its ending cut.

Explanationdialogue

DiaperEasy

ClueA nappy, with an American name that sounds far too dignified for the contents.

Explanationnappy

Dish towelEasy

ClueA tea towel; America refuses to let even a kitchen cloth enjoy a civilised beverage.

Explanationtea towel

District attorneyHard

ClueA public prosecutor for a US district; America adds a geographical title to the courtroom drama.

Explanationpublic prosecutor

DonutMedium

ClueDoughnut; America shortens the word, evidently confusing fewer letters with fewer calories.

Explanationdoughnut

DraftMedium

ClueDraught of cold air; America writes the shorter version and still leaves the window open.

Explanationdraught

DrapesEasy

ClueHeavy curtains; America calls them what they do when hung, as if the window were not a clue.

Explanationcurtains

DrugstoreEasy

ClueA chemist's; America announces the substances rather than trusting the profession.

Explanationchemist's

DumpsterEasy

ClueA large skip for waste; America gives it a name worthy of a monster behind a supermarket.

Explanationskip

EggplantEasy

ClueAn aubergine, inexplicably mistaken for an egg by Americans.

Explanationaubergine

ElevatorEasy

ClueA lift, given a grander name by Americans for the heroic task of going upstairs.

Explanationlift

Emergency brakeHard

ClueA handbrake; America makes parking sound like a crisis rather than a normal conclusion.

Explanationhandbrake

EntreeEasy

ClueThe main course; America's borrowed French word has wandered well past the entrance.

Explanationmain course

EraserEasy

ClueA rubber for pencil marks; America names the deletion instead of the helpful little lump.

Explanationrubber

EsophagusMedium

ClueOesophagus; America removes the initial letter before swallowing anything substantial.

Explanationoesophagus

EyeglassesHard

ClueSpectacles, for Americans who apparently need instructions about where to wear them.

Explanationspectacles

FallEasy

ClueAutumn; America names an entire season after the one thing leaves are doing.

Explanationautumn

Fanny packEasy

ClueA bum bag; America's chosen anatomy makes this accessory especially alarming to British ears.

Explanationbum bag

FaucetEasy

ClueA tap; America cannot apparently obtain water without a fancier plumbing vocabulary.

Explanationtap

Fava beanEasy

ClueA broad bean; America imports a new label for a vegetable already wide enough to be noticed.

Explanationbroad bean

FavoriteMedium

ClueFavourite; America cannot even express a preference without cutting a letter from the budget.

Explanationfavourite

FenderEasy

ClueA car's wing over a wheel; America removes its last chance of sounding capable of flight.

Explanationwing

FiberMedium

ClueFibre; America rearranges the last letters as though that were the important bit of the diet.

Explanationfibre

FlashlightHard

ClueA torch; America apparently needs reminding that the little cylinder produces light.

Explanationtorch

FlavorMedium

ClueFlavour; America removes a letter, though thankfully not the entire seasoning.

Explanationflavour

FreewayEasy

ClueA motorway without tolls; America advertises the price before mentioning the traffic.

Explanationmotorway

French friesHard

ClueChips cut thin and fried; America blames France for what it orders with everything.

Explanationchips

FreshmanEasy

ClueA first-year student; America labels the new arrival as though inspected for freshness.

Explanationfirst-year student

Garbage truckHard

ClueA dustcart; America advertises the load as though anyone needed persuading to avoid it.

Explanationdustcart

GartersEasy

ClueSuspenders that hold stockings up; America has changed the wardrobe password again.

Explanationsuspenders

GasEasy

CluePetrol for a car; America chooses a name for something that is inconveniently liquid.

Explanationpetrol

Gas stationHard

ClueA petrol station; America continues pretending the fuel is in the wrong state of matter.

Explanationpetrol station

GearshiftEasy

ClueA gear lever; America prefers a word that sounds like the car is changing jobs.

Explanationgear lever

GradeEasy

ClueA mark for a piece of schoolwork; America makes one teacher's verdict sound like an entire ranking system.

Explanationmark

GrayMedium

ClueGrey; America chooses another vowel for a colour that was already refusing to be interesting.

Explanationgrey

Grilled cheeseHard

ClueA cheese toastie; America describes the cooking and cheese but leaves the bread to our imagination.

Explanationcheese toastie

Ground beefHard

ClueBeef mince; America explains the grinding process as though the cow had been a geography lesson.

Explanationbeef mince

Ground meatHard

ClueMince; America insists on describing both the machinery's work and its victim.

Explanationmince

Hardware storeHard

ClueAn ironmonger's; America makes a shop full of screws sound like a computer department.

Explanationironmonger's

HonorMedium

ClueHonour; America's spelling has already surrendered one small point of dignity.

Explanationhonour

HoodEasy

ClueA car's bonnet; America changes the headwear without making the engine any more fashionable.

Explanationbonnet

HumorMedium

ClueHumour; America cuts a letter before checking whether the joke is any good.

Explanationhumour

IntersectionHard

ClueA road junction; America makes meeting streets sound like a branch of mathematics.

Explanationjunction

JanitorEasy

ClueA building's caretaker; America makes looking after a place sound like a rather obscure Roman occupation.

Explanationcaretaker

Jell-OEasy

ClueFruit-flavoured jelly, sold under a familiar US brand; America requires a trademark to make it wobble.

Explanationjelly

JewelryMedium

ClueJewellery; America cuts the spelling while leaving the price magnificently intact.

Explanationjewellery

LaborMedium

ClueLabour; America shortens the spelling, presumably mistaking that for a reduction in work.

Explanationlabour

LayoffEasy

ClueRedundancy, when a job is no longer needed; America gives dismissal a name that sounds like a nap.

Explanationredundancy

LicenseMedium

ClueLicence, the noun; America uses the verb's spelling, as though permission had already been granted.

Explanationlicence

License plateHard

ClueA number plate on a car; America brings paperwork into even the vehicle's jewellery.

Explanationnumber plate

LineEasy

ClueA queue of waiting people; America prefers a word that gives no hint of civilised patience.

Explanationqueue

LiquorEasy

ClueSpirits such as whisky; America chooses a word that sounds less haunted but no more sober.

Explanationspirits

Liquor storeHard

ClueAn off-licence; America needs the stock announced before buying the evening's bad decisions.

Explanationoff-licence

LiterMedium

ClueLitre; America switches the ending, then often avoids measuring the drink that way anyway.

Explanationlitre

MailEasy

ClueThe post; America changes the word but still cannot make a parcel arrive when expected.

Explanationpost

MailboxEasy

ClueA public postbox; America needs the contents advertised on the container.

Explanationpostbox

MailmanEasy

ClueA postman; America's preferred prefix does not make the route any shorter.

Explanationpostman

MallEasy

ClueA shopping centre; America finds a short name for an outing that never is.

Explanationshopping centre

MathEasy

ClueMaths; America subtracts a letter before the lesson has even started.

Explanationmaths

MeterMedium

ClueMetre, the unit of length; America rearranges the ending without improving its affection for the system.

Explanationmetre

MinivanEasy

ClueA people carrier; America calls the family transport small, which the parking space disputes.

Explanationpeople carrier

MolassesEasy

ClueDark treacle; America gives the sticky syrup a word that sounds even slower to pour.

Explanationtreacle

MoldMedium

ClueMould growing on bread; America trims the spelling before bothering to clean the kitchen.

Explanationmould

MoltMedium

ClueMoult, as birds shed feathers; America's spelling sheds a letter for additional authenticity.

Explanationmoult

MovieEasy

ClueA film; America names the picture after moving, apparently its most impressive accomplishment.

Explanationfilm

Movie theaterHard

ClueA cinema; America writes a two-word explanation in case the screen was not a sufficient clue.

Explanationcinema

MustacheMedium

ClueMoustache; America trims a letter off the facial hair before consulting a barber.

Explanationmoustache

Navy beanEasy

ClueA small white haricot bean; America seems to have enlisted it before making soup.

Explanationharicot bean

NeighborMedium

ClueNeighbour; America drops a letter before attempting friendly relations across the fence.

Explanationneighbour

OatmealEasy

CluePorridge made from oats; America names the ingredient and forgets breakfast's actual personality.

Explanationporridge

OffenseMedium

ClueOffence; America changes a letter before deciding how terribly insulted to be.

Explanationoffence

One-way ticketHard

ClueA single ticket; America specifies the direction, lest the traveller attempt both at once.

Explanationsingle ticket

OutletEasy

ClueAn electrical socket; America describes the electricity's exit rather than the plug's destination.

Explanationsocket

OverallsEasy

ClueDungarees, given an American name that promises rather more coverage than they provide.

Explanationdungarees

OverpassEasy

ClueA flyover; America describes a road passing over a road, lest anyone imagine actual flying.

Explanationflyover

PacifierEasy

ClueA baby's dummy; America gives this little plug the job title of a peace negotiator.

Explanationdummy

PajamasMedium

CluePyjamas; America changes a vowel, presumably while too sleepy to find the proper one.

Explanationpyjamas

PantiesEasy

ClueKnickers, renamed across the pond as though grown-up underwear needed a nursery nickname.

Explanationknickers

PantsEasy

ClueTrousers: America gives them a name that makes British laundry rather awkward.

Explanationtrousers

ParalyzeMedium

ClueParalyse; America changes the spelling while the rest of the word is unable to move.

Explanationparalyse

Parking garageHard

ClueA multi-storey car park; America makes stacking cars sound like keeping one in a private shed.

Explanationmulti-storey car park

Parking lotHard

ClueA car park; America allocates parking a whole lot of vocabulary.

Explanationcar park

PaycheckEasy

ClueA pay cheque; America saves a space and a few letters, though not a penny of the tax.

Explanationpay cheque

Pay stubEasy

ClueA payslip; America gives proof of wages a name that sounds like the disappointing bit left over.

Explanationpayslip

PitcherEasy

ClueA jug for serving drinks; America apparently thinks the vessel should be throwing something.

Explanationjug

PlowMedium

CluePlough; America tidies the word more enthusiastically than most people tidy the field.

Explanationplough

PocketbookHard

ClueAnother US name for a handbag; apparently even one's accessories must pretend to be literature.

Explanationhandbag

PopsicleEasy

ClueAn ice lolly; America's popular trade-name version sounds like a small frozen catastrophe.

Explanationice lolly

Potato chipsHard

ClueCrisps; America borrows Britain's hot-potato word and then has to name the vegetable again.

Explanationcrisps

Powdered sugarHard

ClueIcing sugar; America labels the powder and forgets the cake it was meant to decorate.

Explanationicing sugar

PracticeMedium

CluePractise, the verb; America borrows the noun's spelling before attempting the exercise.

Explanationpractise

PrincipalEasy

ClueA headteacher; America gives the school boss a title that sounds like a rule in a textbook.

Explanationheadteacher

ProctorEasy

ClueAn exam invigilator; America finds a shorter title for watching someone fail to revise.

Explanationinvigilator

ProgramMedium

ClueProgramme for an event, not computer code; America shortens the paperwork before the show starts.

Explanationprogramme

PurseEasy

ClueA handbag for carrying belongings; America has made the container sound like the coin holder.

Explanationhandbag

RailcarEasy

ClueA passenger railway carriage; America apparently cannot discuss transport without calling it a car.

Explanationrailway carriage

RailroadEasy

ClueA railway; America gives trains a road and then has to stop cars from using it.

Explanationrailway

RecessEasy

ClueA school break; America makes ten minutes outside sound like an adjournment of Congress.

Explanationbreak

RestroomEasy

ClueA public toilet; America promises a rest where one generally has a rather different purpose.

Explanationpublic toilet

ResumeEasy

ClueA CV; America's borrowed French label does not make the employment history any more interesting.

ExplanationCV

Round tripEasy

ClueA return journey; America draws a verbal circle rather than simply promising to come back.

Explanationreturn journey

Row houseEasy

ClueA terraced house; America needs the line of neighbours described before moving in.

Explanationterraced house

RutabagaEasy

ClueA swede, the root vegetable; America gives a humble winter mash an operatic name.

Explanationswede

RVEasy

ClueA self-propelled motorhome; America reduces a house on wheels to initials and hopes we have the manual.

Explanationmotorhome

SalesclerkHard

ClueA shop assistant; America reduces the person to the cash transaction before saying hello.

Explanationshop assistant

ScallionEasy

ClueA spring onion; America finds a grander way to name an onion that has barely started.

Explanationspring onion

SedanEasy

ClueA saloon car; America picks a different grand name for the same school-run machine.

Explanationsaloon car

SemiEasy

ClueAn articulated lorry; America's short name describes half of something impressively whole.

Explanationarticulated lorry

SeniorEasy

ClueA final-year student; America awards an age-like title before graduation has even happened.

Explanationfinal-year student

SidewalkEasy

ClueA pavement, renamed by Americans who need reminding which side to walk on.

Explanationpavement

SilverwareHard

ClueCutlery at the table; America makes even stainless-steel utensils sound like inherited treasure.

Explanationcutlery

SneakersEasy

ClueTrainers: America names its footwear after creeping about, rather than taking exercise.

Explanationtrainers

Snow peaEasy

ClueFlat-podded mangetout; America names a green vegetable after weather rather than saying eat the lot.

Explanationmangetout

SoccerEasy

ClueFootball played chiefly with the feet; America reserves the sensible name for a different game.

Explanationfootball

SophomoreEasy

ClueA second-year student; America uses a grand Greek-derived word for merely surviving year one.

Explanationsecond-year student

Station wagonHard

ClueAn estate car; America insists its spacious family vehicle belongs beside a railway.

Explanationestate car

Stick shiftHard

ClueA manual gearbox; America names the lever, perhaps because the gears were too much detail.

Explanationmanual gearbox

StoreEasy

ClueA shop; America apparently considers buying things a form of warehousing.

Explanationshop

StoveEasy

ClueA cooker in the kitchen; America borrows a name that also belongs to a room-heating appliance.

Explanationcooker

StreetcarEasy

ClueAnother US name for a tram; America must explain that this particular vehicle lives in the street.

Explanationtram

SubwayEasy

ClueThe underground railway; America's word can suggest a British pedestrian passage instead.

Explanationunderground

SulfurMedium

ClueSulphur, in traditional British spelling; America dispenses with the decorative pair of letters.

Explanationsulphur

Superfine sugarHard

ClueCaster sugar; America makes a small grain sound as though it has won a beauty contest.

Explanationcaster sugar

SuspendersHard

ClueBraces that hold trousers up; Americans prefer to sound as though they are hanging someone.

Explanationbraces

SweaterEasy

ClueA jumper, renamed in America after what happens when one overheats in it.

Explanationjumper

TakeoutEasy

ClueA takeaway meal; America issues a brisk instruction rather than admitting it has avoided cooking.

Explanationtakeaway

TheaterMedium

ClueTheatre; America swaps the final letters and expects applause for the renovation.

Explanationtheatre

TireMedium

ClueTyre on a car; America uses a spelling that looks exhausted before the journey begins.

Explanationtyre

To goEasy

ClueTo take away, said when ordering food; America turns dinner into a departure command.

Explanationto take away

Traffic circleHard

ClueA roundabout; America supplies a geometry lesson before allowing anyone to turn.

Explanationroundabout

TrashEasy

ClueRubbish thrown away; America supplies a word that sounds suitably offended by its own leftovers.

Explanationrubbish

Trash bagEasy

ClueA bin bag; America labels the contents before they have even gone inside.

Explanationbin bag

Trash canEasy

ClueA rubbish bin; America must announce both the contents and the container before throwing anything away.

Explanationrubbish bin

TravelerMedium

ClueTraveller; America leaves one letter at home to make room for additional luggage.

Explanationtraveller

TrolleyEasy

ClueA tram running on rails; America's word has been borrowed from the shopping aisle.

Explanationtram

TruckEasy

ClueA lorry; America uses a word short enough to leave room for the enormous vehicle.

Explanationlorry

TrunkEasy

ClueA car's boot; America replaces footwear with an elephant's nose to store the shopping.

Explanationboot

TurnpikeEasy

ClueA toll motorway; America gives a paid road a name left over from barriers and spikes.

Explanationtoll motorway

Turn signalHard

ClueA car's indicator; America needs the intended manoeuvre spelt out before touching the lever.

Explanationindicator

UndershirtHard

ClueA vest beneath one's clothes; America insists on announcing the layer.

Explanationvest

VacationEasy

ClueA holiday; America requires a word suggesting absence rather than enjoyment.

Explanationholiday

VestEasy

ClueA waistcoat for a suit; America has apparently misplaced the bit about the waist.

Explanationwaistcoat

WashclothEasy

ClueA flannel for washing the face; America must print the washing instructions in the noun.

Explanationflannel

WindshieldHard

ClueA windscreen; America apparently expects the glass to enter a battle rather than stop a breeze.

Explanationwindscreen

YardEasy

ClueThe garden around a house; America's name makes it sound like somewhere to stack pallets.

Explanationgarden

Zip codeEasy

ClueA postcode; America brands an address number as though speed were guaranteed.

Explanationpostcode

ZipperEasy

ClueA zip; America adds a syllable, lest fastening one's trousers seem insufficiently complicated.

Explanationzip

ZucchiniEasy

ClueA courgette; America imports a different foreign word and calls that independence.

Explanationcourgette