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Aside from the vocabulary that is different between the European and American English languages, there are some terms that are merely spelled a bit differently.
Some of these differences are in the suffixes of words otherwise the same:
European | American | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| -ise | -ize | Minimise, minimize |
Also, there is a variation in the rule that determines whether or not one should double an "l" (L) at the end of a verb when adding a suffix. |
| -or | Behaviour, behavior | ||
| -re | -er | Centre, center | |
| -ce | -se | Defence, defense |
The "ae" in some European words is "e" in American:
| European | American | |
|---|---|---|
| *Anaesthesia | Anesthesia | * As for "aesthetic / esthetic," the usage is optional, in American — though the former seems the most common. |
| Archaeology | Archeology | |
| Encyclopaedia | Encyclopedia | |
| Paediatrics | Pediatrics |
Some words are just plain spelled differently — and, in some cases, obviously not pronounced exactly the same:
| European English | American English | |
|---|---|---|
| Aeroplane | Airplane | |
| Aluminium | Aluminum | |
| Analogue | Analog | The variation applies as well to "catalogue," "dialogue," etc. |
| Checque (n.) | Check | |
| Furore | Furor | |
| Gramme | Gram | The variation applies as well to "programme" (but not to "computer program.") |
| Gray | | |
| Jewellery | Jewelry | |
| Kerb (n.) | Curb | |
| Learnt | Learned | |
| Manoeuvre | Maneuver | |
| Mould | Mold | |
| Moustache | Mustache | |
| Pyjamas | Pajamas | |
| Routeing | Routing | |
| Skeptical | Sceptical | [A reader has questioned the ubiquity of the UK version.] |
| Speciality | Specialty | |
| Storey | Story | (of building.) Note: the American "1st story" is ground level. The European "1st storey" is one level up. |
| Storeyed | Storied | |
| Sulphur | Sulfur | |
| Tyre (n.) | Tire | |
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