American > British Glossary | A
Smoothing and improving transatlantic communication
| Index of Americanisms |
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O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | Briticisms |
 American
term or expression |
 British
equivalent, or explanation |
|---|---|
| absentee ballot | postal ballot, postal vote |
| absorbent cotton | cotton wool |
| ace (an exam) | score top marks |
| acetaminophen (analgesic) | paracetamol |
| across from | opposite |
| affirmative action (form of positive discrimination) | equal opportunities |
| airfoil | aerofoil |
| airman basic (U.S. Air Force) | aircraftman (Royal Air Force) |
| airman 1st class (U.S. Air Force) | corporal (Royal Air Force) |
| airplane | aeroplane |
| all-purpose flour | plain flour |
| Allen™ wrench | Allen™ key |
| alligator clip | crocodile clip |
| allowance (money paid to child) | pocket money |
| aluminum | aluminium |
| AM radio (cf. FM radio) | medium wave |
| AM/FM cassette recorder | radio cassette recorder |
| American plan (hotel rate with three meals a day) | full board, board and lodging, bed and board |
| American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) | American War of Independence |
| amusement park | funfair, amusement park |
| anesthesiologist | anaesthetist |
| annual meeting (of company shareholders) | annual general meeting (or AGM) |
| answering machine | answerphone |
| antenna (radio or TV) | aerial |
| apartment (for rent) | flat (to let) |
| apartment building, apartment house | block of flats |
| apartment hotel | service flats |
| apparel | clothes (esp. when sold in a shop) |
| appetizer (first course of a meal) | entrée,
starter, appetizer |
| architect's lamp | Anglepoise™ lamp |
| area code (telephone) | dialling code |
| around (adv., prep.) | round, around |
| artsy (pretentiously artistic; worshipping of the arts) | arty |
| ATM (automated teller machine) | cash dispenser, cash machine, cashpoint |
| attic | loft (if roomless), attic |
| attorney | solicitor
(general lawyer); barrister (lawyer granted the right to plead before the bar in higher courts) |
| auto, automobile | car, motor car |
| auto maker | car manufacturer |
| auto racing, automobile racing | motor racing |
| automatic draft (in banking) | direct debit, standing order |
