British and American Spelling
Here are the main differences in spelling between British English (BrE) and American English (AmE). Test yourself with these fun American spelling quizzes and British/American spelling quizzes
notes | British English | American English |
---|---|---|
Final -l is always doubled after one vowel in stressed and unstressed syllables in BrE but usually only in stressed syllables in AmE, for example: |
rebel, rebelled travel, travelled |
rebel, rebelled travel traveled |
Some words end in -tre in BrE and -ter in AmE, for example: |
centre theatre |
center theater |
Some words end in -ogue in BrE and -og in AmE, for example: |
analogue catalogue |
analog catalog |
Some words end in -our in BrE and -or in AmE, for example: |
colour labour |
color labor |
Some verbs end in -ize or -ise in BrE but only in -ize in AmE, for example: | realise, realize | realize |
Common Differences
British English | American English |
---|---|
all right | all right, alright |
analyse | analyze |
centre | center |
cheque | check |
colour | color |
counsellor | counselor |
criticise, criticize | criticize |
defence | defense |
doughnut | donut |
favour | favor |
fibre | fiber |
flavour | flavor |
fulfil | fulfill |
grey | gray |
honour | honor |
humour | humor |
jewellery | jewellery, jewelry |
judgement, judgment | judgment |
kerb | curb |
labour | labor |
license, licence (verb) licence (noun) |
license (verb) license (noun) |
litre | liter |
metre | meter |
mould | mold |
neighbour | neighbor |
offence | offense |
practise (verb) practice (noun) |
practice (verb) practice (noun) |
pretence | pretense |
programme (plan, concert etc) program (computer software) |
program program |
pyjamas | pajamas |
realise, realize | realize |
savour | savor |
speciality | specialty |
theatre | theater |
travelled travelling |
travelled, traveled travelling, traveling |
tyre | tire |
valour | valor |
Test yourself with these fun American spelling quizzes and British/American spelling quizzes