If you’re preparing with a
review center for IELTS, you know that you can
use either US or UK English in the test. That, however, does not mean you can
switch between the two types needlessly when you write or speak. It’s best that
you stick to one. Whether you favor American or British English, this article
can help you build up your vocabulary for the IELTS exam.
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AMERICAN ENGLISH
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BRITISH ENGLISH
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PLACES
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apartment, flat, studio
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flat
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apartment building
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block of flats
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parking lot
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car park
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drugstore, pharmacy
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chemist’s shop
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movie
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cinema
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film, movie
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film
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bar
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pub
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emergency room
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casualty
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housing development
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housing estate
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elevator
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lift
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firs/ground floor
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ground floor
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guardrail
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crash barrier
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TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
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counter-clockwise
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anti-clockwise
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intersection,
crossroads (rural areas)
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crossroads
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detour
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diversion
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main street
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high street
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highway
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main road
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expressway, freeway,
interstate, interstate highway
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motorway
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overpass
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flyover
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sidewalk
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pavement
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crosswalk
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pedestrian
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railroad
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railway
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subway
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tube, underground
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freight train
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goods train
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motorcycle
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motorbike
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truck
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lorry
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trailer truck
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articulated lorry
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truck, tractor, semi
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lorry
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tow truck
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breakdown van
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station wagon
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estate car
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18-wheeler
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juggernaut
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rowboat
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rowing boat
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sailboat
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sailing boat
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windshield
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windscreen
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(car) hood
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bonnet
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engine, motor
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engine
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gas, gasoline
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petrol
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flat tire
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flat tyre
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gearshift
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gear-lever
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one-way (ticket)
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single (ticket)
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drunk-driving
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drink-driving
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driver’s license
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driving license
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zip code
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postcode
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turn signal
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indicator (on a car)
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license plate
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number plate
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OCCUPATIONS
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mailman, mail carrier
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postman
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attorney, lawyer
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solicitor
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girl scout
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girl guide
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garbage collector
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dustman
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real estate agent
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estate agent
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groundskeeper
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groundsman
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newscaster
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newsreader
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ITEMS AND CLOTHING
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flashlight
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torch
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hope chest
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bottom drawer
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thumbtack
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drawing pin
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eraser
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rubber
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mail
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post
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mailbox
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postbox
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garbage, trash
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rubbish
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garbage can, trash can
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rubbish-bin, dustbin
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can
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tin
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dish towel
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tea towel
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washcloth
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flannel
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purse, handbag,
shoulder bag
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handbag
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baggage car
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luggage van
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dresser, bureau
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chest of drawers
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turtleneck
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polo
neck
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sweater
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jumper
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jumper
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pinafore
dress
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underpants, drawers
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pants, underpants
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undershirt
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vest
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vest
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waistcoat
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bathrobe, robe
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dressing gown
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zipper
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zip
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clothespin
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clothes peg
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diaper
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nappy
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pacifier
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dummy (for a baby)
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crib
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cot
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stroller, baby carriage
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pram
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FOOD AND COOKING
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jellybeans
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jelly babies
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candy
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sweets
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cotton candy
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candy floss
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confectioners’ sugar
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icing sugar
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popsicle
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ice lolly
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layer cake
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sandwich cake
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cookie, cracker
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biscuit
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potato chips
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crisps
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French fries
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chips
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jam preserves
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jam
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beet
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beetroot
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soy, soybean
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soya, soyabean
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wax paper, waxed paper
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greaseproof paper
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jug, pitcher
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jug
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cookie sheet
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baking tray
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plastic wrap
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cling film
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appetizer
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starter
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takeout, to go
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takeaway
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OTHERS
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vacation
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holiday
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legal holiday
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bank holiday
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bill, check
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(restaurant) bill
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allowance
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pocket money
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pet peeve
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pet hate
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math
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maths
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schedule
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timetable
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underground economy
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black economy
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hazard pay
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danger money
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soccer
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football
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elementary school
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junior school
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public school
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state school
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Practice using these words—both
their US and UK versions—during your review center for
IELTS sessions. Supercharge your IELTS exam
performance with on-point word choice!
References:
“British and
American terms.” Oxford Dictionaries. Accessed November 7, 2018. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/british-and-american-terms.
“British vs
American Vocabulary.” English Club. Accessed November 7, 2018. https://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/british-american.htm
