Studying how to spell British English words

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Study British English spelling


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SPELLING

Some common words which are spelt differently in British English and American English (American English spellings are shown inside brackets):
-our (-or): behaviour (behavior); colour (color); favourite (favorite); harbour (harbor); honour (honor); humour (humor); labour (labor); neighbour (neighbor); rumour (rumor)
-re (-er): centimetre (centimeter); centre (center); fibre (fiber); litre (liter); theatre (theater)
-se (-ze): analyse (analyze); apologise (apologize); organise (organize); realise (realize); recognise (recognize)
-ce (-se): defence (defense); a licence (a license); an offence (an offense)
-se (-ce): to practise (to practice)
-en (-in): enquiry (inquiry)
-l (-ll): enrolment (enrollment); fulfil (fulfill); instalment (installment); skilful (skillful)
-ll (-l): jewellery (jewelry); quarrelling (quarreling); traveller (traveler); woollen (woolen)
-oe (e): diarrhoea (diarrhea); foetus (fetus); manoeuvre (maneuver)
-ae (e): anaesthetic (anesthetic); encyclopaedia (encyclopedia)
various: axe (ax); bank cheque (bank check); cosy (cozy); draught (draft); grey (gray); jewellery (jewelry); judgement (judgment); kerb (curb); kidnapper (kidnaper); mould (mold); moustache (mustache); nought (naught); plough (plow); programme (program); pyjamas (pajamas); storey (story); sulphur (sulfur); traveller (traveler); tyre (tire); woollen (woolen).
Note that American spellings are often used in the UK for computer terms, but not when used for other meanings. You run a computer program, but watch a television programme. A computer stores data on its hard disk, but the person who plays music on the radio is called a disc-jockey.

Oxford A-Z of Spelling
Editors: Catherine Soanes, Sheila Ferguson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date: September 2004

LINKS

English/English dictionary: Dictionary
Automatic (machine) translations: Translate
Tests of English: English/Exams
Wordplay: Ideas/Fun

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