The list below shows important american and british spelling differences in English you should know.
It can be said that American English has the more economical and phonetic spelling. Unnecessary letters are left out and words are spelled how they sound.
Here are some of the main differences in the spellings.
American and British Spelling Differences
Words ending in -or vs. -our
American English vs. British English:
- Armor – Armour
- Behavior – Behaviour
- Color – Colour
- Endeavor – Endeavour
- Favorite – Favourite
- Flavor – Flavour
- Glamor – Glamour
- Honor – Honour
- Humor – Humour
- Labor – Labour
- Neighbor – Neighbour
- Odor – Odour
- Rumor – Rumour
- Savor – Savour
- Splendor – Splendour
- Vigor – Vigour
Words ending in -ll vs. -l
American English vs. British English:
- Enrollment – Enrolment
- Fulfill – Fulfil
- Jewelry – Jewellery
- Skillful – Skilful
Words ending in -og vs. -ogue
American English vs. British English:
- Analog – Analogue
- Boogeyman – Bogeyman
- Catalog – Catalogue
- Dialog – Dialogue
Words ending in -ck or -k vs. -que
American English vs. British English:
- Bank – Banque
- Check – Cheque
- Checker – Chequer
Words ending in -ze vs. -se
American English vs. British English:
- Analyze – Analyse
- Apologize – Apologise
- Criticize – Criticise
- Memorize – Memorise
- Minimize – Minimise
- Organize – Organise
- Paralyze – Paralyse
- Patronize – Patronise
- Prize – Prise
- Realize – Realise
- Recognize – Recognise
- Socialize – Socialise
- Specialize – Specialise
Words ending in -er vs. -re
American English vs. British English:
- Center – Centre
- Amphitheater – Amphitheatre
- Caliber – Calibre
- Fiber – Fibre
- Kilometer – Kilometre
- Liter – Litre
- Louver – Louvre
- Luster – Lustre
- Maneuver – Manoeuvre
- Meager – Meagre
- Meter – Metre
- Saber – Sabre
- Scepter – Sceptre
- Somber – Sombre
- Theater – Theatre
Words ending in -e vs. -oe or -ae
American English vs. British English:
- Encylopedia – Encycopaedia
- Estrogen – Oestrogen
- Leukemia – Leukaemia
- Maneuver – Manoeuvre
- Medieval – Mediaeval
- Pediatric – Paediatric
Words ending in -dg vs. -dge (or -g vs. -gu)
American English vs. British English:
- Aging – Ageing
- Argument – Argument
- Judgment – Judgement
Words ending in -ed vs. -t
American English vs. British English:
- Dreamed – Dreamt
- Burned – Burnt
- Learned – Learnt
Words ending in -ense vs. -ence
American English vs. British English:
- Defense – Defence
- License – Licence
- Offense – Offence
- Pretense – Pretence
Words ending in a vowel plus -l
American English vs. British English:
- Counseling – Counselling
- Equaling – Equalling
- Fueled – Fuelled
- Fueling – Fuelling
- Modeling – Modelling
- Quarreling – Quarrelling
- Signaling – Signalling
- Traveled – Travelled
- Traveler – Traveller
- Traveling – Travelling
Important American and British Spelling Differences | Image
Heidi
Saturday 30th of September 2017
Uk English doesn't spell meter and other er ending words re that is French! Also some of the words are just old fashioned versions that don't get used much anymore.
old tom
Saturday 25th of April 2020
in the English form of spelling in 1600-1800 when they were compiling the spelling, to make the book that turned in to The Oxford Dictionary, that the spelling of a word to be as of origin e.g french german, Italian even word taken from there former colonies like dingy, bungalow from India.