A Simple Guide to British vs American Spelling Differences
British and American English are mostly the same, but they use different spellings for some words. British English keeps some traditional spellings, while American English often makes them simpler. Learning these differences can help you write better for different readers.
Common British and American Spelling Differences
1. -our vs -or
- In British English, words often end in “-our,” but in American English, they end in “-or.”
- Examples:
- Colour (British) vs. Color (American)
- Honour (British) vs. Honor (American)
2. -re vs -er
- British English spells some words with “-re” at the end, but American English uses “-er.”
- Examples:
- Centre (British) vs. Center (American)
- Theatre (British) vs. Theater (American)
3. -ise vs -ize
- British English often ends words with “-ise,” while American English uses “-ize.”
- Examples:
- Realise (British) vs. Realize (American)
- Organise (British) vs. Organize (American)
4. -ce vs -se
- In British English, some words end in “-ce,” while in American English, they end in “-se.”
- Examples:
- Defence (British) vs. Defense (American)
- Licence (British noun) vs. License (American noun)
5. Double “L” in Verbs
- British English often doubles the “l” in verbs before adding an ending, but American English does not.
- Examples:
- Travelling (British) vs. Traveling (American)
- Cancelled (British) vs. Canceled (American)
6. -ogue vs -og
- British English sometimes ends words in “-ogue,” while American English uses “-og.”
- Examples:
- Catalogue (British) vs. Catalog (American)
- Dialogue (British) vs. Dialog (American)
FAQ's
American English wanted shorter, simpler spellings.
No, both versions mean the same thing.
It’s best to pick one style and stick to it.
Both are correct. Grey is British, and gray is American.
Canadian English mixes both styles.
It follows Latin-based endings.
It’s not wrong, but it looks unusual.
Spell-checkers often use American English by default.
No, spelling changes do not change the way words sound.
Yes, pick one style if you’re writing for work or school.
British vs American Spelling: Key Differences