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Interactive International English Vocabulary Glossary

English is a global language, but it’s far from uniform. Words, spellings, and everyday terms vary across countries, often in amusing or confusing ways. This glossary compares common English vocabulary across six major varieties: UK (British), US (American), AU (Australian), CA (Canadian), IE (Irish), and ZA (South African). Whether you’re a traveller, writer, editor, or language lover, you’ll find this list useful — and maybe a bit entertaining too.

Interactive English Glossary
TermUKUSAUCAIEZA
Jumperjumpersweaterjumpersweaterjumperjersey
Trainerstrainerssneakersrunnersrunning shoesrunnerstakkies
Trouserstrouserspantspants/trouserspantstrouserstrousers
Waistcoatwaistcoatvestvestvestwaistcoatwaistcoat
Vestvestundershirtsingletundershirtvestvest
Fancy Dressfancy dresscostumecostumecostumefancy dresscostume
Dressing Gowndressing gownroberoberobedressing gowngown
Swimming Costumeswimming costumeswimsuitbathers/swimmersswimsuittogsswimming costume
Biscuitbiscuitcookiebiscuitcookiebiscuitbiscuit
Crispscrispschipschipschipscrispscrisps
Sweetssweetscandylolliescandysweetssweets
Aubergineaubergineeggplanteggplanteggplantauberginebrinjal
Courgettecourgettezucchinizucchinizucchinicourgettebaby marrow
Minceminceground beefminceground beefmincemince
Chips (hot)chipsfrieshot chipsfrieschipsslap chips
Puddingpuddingdessertdessertdessertpuddingpudding
Spring Onionspring onionscallionspring oniongreen onionscallionspring onion
Hooverhoovervacuumvacuumvacuumhoovervacuum cleaner
Bin Linerbin linertrash bagbin baggarbage bagbin linerbin bag
Washing Up Liquidwashing up liquiddish soapdishwashing liquiddish soapwashing up liquiddishwashing liquid
Cling Filmcling filmplastic wrapglad wrapplastic wrapcling filmcling wrap
Kitchen Rollkitchen rollpaper towelpaper towelpaper towelkitchen rollpaper towel
Boot (car)boottrunkboottrunkbootboot
Car Parkcar parkparking lotcar parkparking lotcar parkcar park
Lorrylorrytrucktruck/utetrucklorrybakkie
Undergroundundergroundsubwayunderground/trainsubwayundergroundunderground
Windscreenwindscreenwindshieldwindscreenwindshieldwindscreenwindscreen
Indicatorindicatorturn signalblinkersignal lightindicatorindicator
Number Platenumber platelicense platenumber platelicense platenumber platenumber plate
Note (money)notebillnotebillnotenote
Bill (restaurant)billcheckbillcheckbillbill
Shopshopstoreshopstoreshopshop
Chemistchemistpharmacychemistpharmacychemistpharmacy
Off-licenceoff-licenceliquor storebottle shopliquor storeoff-licencebottle store
Dummydummypacifierdummysoothersootherdummy
Pushchairpushchairstrollerpram/strollerstrollerbuggypram
Cotcotcribcotcribcotcot
Nappynappydiapernappydiapernappynappy
Nurserynurserydaycarechildcaredaycarecrechecreche
Mobile Phonemobile phonecell phonemobilecell phonemobilecellphone
Sat Navsat navGPSGPSGPSsat navGPS
TV LicenceTV licencecable feeTV licenceTV taxTV licenceTV licence
Plug Socketplug socketoutletpower pointoutletsocketplug point
Headteacherheadteacherprincipalprincipalprincipalheadteacherprincipal
Primary Schoolprimary schoolelementary schoolprimary schoolelementary schoolprimary schoolprimary school
Secondary Schoolsecondary schoolhigh schoolhigh schoolhigh schoolsecondary schoolhigh school
Universityuniversitycollegeuniuniversityuniversityuniversity
Revisionrevisionreview/studyrevisionreviewrevisionstudy
Cheers (thanks)cheersthanksta/thanksthankscheersthanks
Chuffedchuffedpleasedstokedhappydelightedpleased
Bloodybloodydamnbloodydamnbloodydamn
Knackeredknackeredexhaustedwreckedtiredwreckedexhausted
Fancy (like)fancylikelikelikefancyfancy