Spelling differences between British and American English

-our (British English) vs. -or (American English)

Colour (UK)	Color (US)
Flavour (UK)	Flavor (US)
Behaviour (UK)	Behavior (US)
Favourite (UK)	Favorite (US)
Honour (UK)	Honor (US)
Neighbour (UK)	Neighbor (US)
Harbour (UK)	Harbor (US)
Labour (UK)	Labor (US)
Humour (UK)	Humor (US)
Rumour (UK)	Rumor (US)
Valour (UK)	Valor (US)
Glamour (UK)	Glamor (US)
Saviour (UK)	Savior (US)
Candour (UK)	Candor (US)

 

-re (British English) vs. -er (American English)

Centre (UK)	Center (US)
Metre (UK)	Meter (US)
Theatre (UK)	Theater (US)
Litre (UK)	Liter (US)
Fibre (UK)	Fiber (US)
Spectre (UK)	Specter (US)
Lustre (UK)	Luster (US)

 

-ise (British English) vs. -ize (American English)

Realise (UK)	Realize (US)
Organise (UK)	Organize (US)
Recognise (UK)	Recognize (US)
Analyse (UK)	Analyze (US)
Criticise (UK)	Criticize (US)
Apologise (UK)	Apologize (US)
Maximise (UK)	Maximize (US)
Authorise (UK)	Authorize (US)
Socialise (UK)	Socialize (US)
Paralyse (UK)	Paralyze (US)

 

-l (British English) vs. -ll (American English)

Enrol (UK)	Enroll (US)
Fulfil (UK)	Fulfill (US)
Distil (UK)	Distill (US)
Instil (UK)	Instill (US)
Skilful (UK)	Skillful (US)
Wilful (UK)	Willful (US)

 

-ll (British English) vs. -l (American English)

Travelling (UK)	Traveling (US)
Cancelled (UK)	Canceled (US)
Modelling (UK)	Modeling (US)
Jewellery (UK)	Jewelry (US)
Woollen (UK)	Woolen (US)

 

-ce (British English) vs. -se (American English)

Defence (UK)	Defense (US)
Licence (UK)	License (US)
Pretence (UK)	Pretense (US)
Offence (UK)	Offense (US)

 

-ogue (British English) vs. -og (American English)

Dialogue (UK)	Dialog (US)
Catalogue (UK)	Catalog (US)
Analogue (UK)	Analog (US)
Monologue (UK)	Monolog (US)

 

-yse (British English) vs. -yze (American English)

Analyse (UK)	Analyze (US)
Paralyse (UK)	Paralyze (US)
Catalyse (UK)	Catalyze (US)

 

-ae (British English) vs. -e (American English)

Paediatric (UK)	Pediatric (US)
Anaemia (UK)	Anemia (US)
Haemorrhage (UK)	Hemorrhage (US)
Leukaemia (UK)	Leukemia (US)
Aetiology (UK)	Etiology (US)
Faeces (UK)	Feces (US)
Encyclopaedia (UK)	Encyclopedia (US)

 

-oe (British English) vs. -e (American English)

Manoeuvre (UK)	Maneuver (US)
Oesophagus (UK)	Esophagus (US)
Oestrogen (UK)	Estrogen (US)
Foetus (UK)	Fetus (US)
Oestrogenic (UK)	Estrogenic (US)
Oestrous (UK)	Estrous (US)
Oestrus (UK)	Estrus (US)
Coeliac (UK)	Celiac (US)
Apnoea (UK)	Apnea (US)

 

-e (British English) vs. no "-e" (American English)

Programme (UK)	Program (US)
Axe (UK)	Ax (US)
Glycerine (UK)	Glycerin (US)

 

Others

Tyre (UK)	Tire (US)
Calibre (UK)	Caliber (US)
Pyjamas (UK)	Pajamas (US)
Grey (UK)	Gray (US)

 

Commonly used words that differ between British and American English

British English	American English
Aeroplane	Airplane
Aluminium	Aluminum
Autumn	Fall
Biscuit	Cookie
Boot (of a car)	Trunk
Car park	Parking lot
Chips	Fries
Cinema	Movie theater
Dustbin	Trash can
Flat	Apartment
Football	Soccer
Garden	Yard
Holiday	Vacation
Lorry	Truck
Motorway	Highway
Petrol	Gasoline
Postcode	Zip code
Public toilet	Restroom
Queue	Line
Railway	Railroad
Torch	Flashlight
Trousers	Pants
Underground	Subway
University	College

 

These spelling differences might seem small, but they're a big part of what makes British and American English unique!

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