Very few words and expressions are used exclusively in either British or American English, and you are likely to hear and read words from both varieties.

A ‣ Streets and roads

Street has a wider range of meaning in American English.

American speaker: Let’s cross the street here; there’s more traffic further down.

However, a British speaker would normally say cross the road, especially in a busy city.

Here are some more examples of American English words and expressions not used in British English.

The British English expressions are given in square brackets.

Go two blocks down and the car rental office is kitty-corner to the gas station. [diagonally opposite; informal] [petrol station]

You should always use the crosswalk to cross the street. [pedestrian crossing / zebra crossing]

There’s a trail that leads down to the creek. [path] [stream, small river]

Take a left here and you’ll come to the Interstate after about three miles. [turn left] [major motorway in the US connecting different states]

After the intersection, look for a sign saying ‘International Airport’. [junction]

I hit a shopping cart in the parking lot when I was backing up. [trolley] [car park] [reversing]

Look for the overpass and then take the next exit for downtown Chicago. [flyover, i.e. bridge that carries one road over another]

B ‣ Educational terminology

C ‣ Around the home

This cable is the ground (US) / earth (UK). [cable that takes electricity safely into the ground]

We need a dumpster (US) / skip (UK) to put all this old stuff in. [large metal container for rubbish]

The faucet (US) / tap (UK) in the kitchen never stops dripping!

I have to cook for five people, so we need a big stove (US) / cooker (UK). [piece of kitchen equipment to cook food]

I fried the fish in a skillet (US) / frying pan (UK).