American vs. British English: Vocabulary Differences You Need to Know
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common vocabulary differences between American and British English—and how they can lead to funny mix-ups (like the time I served the wrong drink 😅).
Learning these differences will help you better understand different versions of English. Just remember—none of them are more “correct” than the other. They’re simply different, and you can choose to speak the version you prefer or that fits your surroundings best.
🎉 Free Peach Teach English Live Event
Before we continue with the blog, I want to personally invite you to a free live Zoom event I'm hosting with my friend Clare Tyndall. Clare is from Wales, and I'm from the United States, so you’ll get to hear real examples of how American and British English differ—from pronunciation to vocabulary to everyday expressions!
📅 Date: 14 August
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM (Bogotá)
📍 Where: Live on Zoom
🎟️ Cost: Free!
👉 Reserve your spot here:
https://tidycal.com/peachteachenglish/free-live-events
🍋 When “Lemonade” Goes Wrong: A Real-Life English Mix-Up
When I was working as a waitress at a rooftop bar, a British guest ordered a vodka lemonade. I went to the register, logged it into the system, and waited for the bartender to make it. When it was ready, I brought it over and handed it to him with a smile.
But when he looked at the drink, he was quite surprised by the very yellow color. He took a sip and said it was delicious—but not quite what he expected. We quickly realized that American lemonade and British lemonade are not the same thing!
In the U.K., “lemonade” refers to lemon-lime soda, like Sprite or 7UP.
In the U.S., “lemonade” is a fresh juice made from lemons, water, and sugar.
In other words, he was expecting a soda and got a fresh juice cocktail instead—an upgrade, in my opinion!
After that day, I made sure to clarify with future British guests whether they wanted American lemonade or Sprite in their cocktails. 😄
🍽️ Food Vocabulary
As you can see, if you don't know these differences, you might have a misunderstanding or order the wrong thing at a restaurant. There are many foods that Americans and Brits call by different names.
But first—let's have a little fun!
🎥 Watch the video and take the quiz: Is your English more American or British?
🍽️American vs British Food Vocabulary
🏘️Around the House Vocabulary
Let’s keep going! We’ve seen how food and drink terms can vary, but that’s not the only area where differences show up. There are also many everyday words used around the house that differ in the U.S. and the U.K.
🎥 Watch the next video and quiz yourself again: How British is your house vocabulary?
🧹American vs British House Vocabulary
🚗 Car Vocabulary
Let’s shift gears—literally!
Whether you're talking about driving, parking, or car parts, Americans and Brits use different words for many car-related things. This can be especially helpful if you’re renting a car or asking for directions abroad.
🏈👗👶 Sports, Clothes, and Baby Vocabulary
Let’s look at one more set of everyday words that can be quite different depending on where you're speaking English. These include some of the most surprising vocabulary changes when it comes to sports, clothing, and baby items.
✅ Now You Know the Difference—Let’s Practice It!
American and British English share the same language, but they use different words for everyday things. Whether you're traveling, working with international colleagues, or just curious about how English varies around the world, learning these vocabulary differences can help you feel more confident and avoid confusion.
🎧 Want to practice these words in real-life conversation?
Join one of my group classes or book a free consultation to practice vocabulary, improve fluency, and gain confidence in a fun, supportive environment.
