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List of words having different meanings in British and American English This is a list of words and phrases having differing meanings in British and American English.
American and British English differences
Asterisked (*) meanings, though found chiefly in the specified region, have
also some currency in the other dialect; other definitions may be recognised by the other as Briticisms or Americanisms respectively. Additional Additional usage notes are provided when useful.
Certain words are limited to regional or specific dialect use in either usage. They will, however, be recognised and understood by most native English speakers in the country concerned. These are marked with their usual area of use.
British English (BrE)
American English (AmE)
Contents
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
A Word
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
accommod accommodation ation housing housing something supplied; a ("residential compromise; a loan accommodation") see also accommodation (eye); lodging (as for travellers) but often used in the plural in US for tthis his meaning accumulator tor
one that accumulates, as a type of computer processor register or a a type of bet (US: hydraulic accumulator parlay)
ace
good, excellent (1980s slang)
a one in a suit of playing cards someone who is very good at something fighter pilot who has shot down a certain number of enemy aircraft
adv advocate cate (n.)
Scott cottis ish h als also o Jersey, Channel Islands lawyer who appears in higher courts (rest of UK: barrister )
someone who supports and/or speaks for a particular position generic term for a lawyer (v.) to recommend or support
American English meanings
(esp. in the past) a local public conveyance, esp. a train see also accommodation (law)
rech echargeable battery (archaic)
(v.) to perform outstandingly *; esp., to achieve an "A" (on a school exam) the best starting pitcher in a rotation on a baseball team
Vocabulary List of American words not widely used in the United Kingdom List of British words not widely used in the United States List of words having different meanings in British and American English Pronunciation American and British English pronunciation differences Orthography American and British English spelling differences Computing British and American keyboards Fiction List of works with different titles in the UK and US
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aerial
(n.) a radio (adj.) of, in or from the antenna to air, as in aerial transmit or photography, a dance receive move in Lindy Hop, and a electromagnetic front aerial in acro dance waves (US: a type of skateboarding antenna) trick
air marshal
a senior air force officer (equivalent to an Army general or Navy admiral)
an undercover law enforcement officer on board a commercial aircraft, also known as a sky marshal
à la mode
fashionable
with ice cream
alternate
(adj.) done or occurring by turns; every second, every other ("on alternate weeks") (n.) one that alternates with another
(adj.) constituting an alternative, offering a choice (UK usu. & US also alternative) ("use alternate routes") "alternative", unconventional ("alternate lifestyles") (n.) an alternative *; a substitute
amber
traffic light of this colour (US: yellow light )
anaesthetist (UK), anesthetist (US)
physician trained to administer anaesthesia (US: anesthesiologist )
anchor
orange-yellow colour fossilised resin; a material used in the construction of some tobacco pipes, female given name nurse or technician trained to administer anaesthesia (1) a position in a tug-ofwar team (2) device for mooring ships by providing a firm fix to the seabed anchorman/anchorwoman, the last member of a relay team to compete
anorak
a parka (slang) a socially awkward person obsessively interested in something (syn. US: geek , nerd ; dweeb; etc.)
apartment
suite of rooms set aside for a particular person (rare)
a type of radio or TV presenter ("a news anchor"). See news presenter for a description of the different roles of a newscaster, an American news anchor, and a British newsreader .
hooded, rainproof outerwear that lacks a full-length zipper in the front (UK: cagoule)
a set of rooms in a building constituting a usu. rented housing unit * (implies luxury in UK; UK usu. flat ) – cf. s.v. condominium
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appropriate (v.), appropriation (n.)
to take (money) to oneself, to filch or misappropriate
Asian
originating from originating from the India, Pakistan, continent of Asia Bangladesh or Sri Lanka (South Asian)
ass
to take and assign (money) (there is considerable overlap but difference of emphasis)
donkey slow-witted or stupid person, often in combination (smart-ass)
to dispense (money), to budget originating from East Asia or continental Southeast Asia (often vulgar) buttocks (UK: arse); also, by synecdoche, the person ("your ass is dead"); also (vulgar) anus (short for asshole) (vulgar) sex ("get some ass") (note: the American usage of ass is becoming more common in British English) also used as a suffix to add emphasis to an adjective ("He drove a big-ass truck") kick-ass: to beat up or beat, e.g. "I am going to kick his ass" or, more positively, something that beat (did better than) everything else, e.g. "The opening band was kick-ass".
athlete
one who participates in running, throwing, and jumping competitions
one who participates in sports in general
athletics
running, throwing, and jumping competitions (US: track and field )
sport in general
attorney
an agent or representative authorised to act on someone else's behalf ("attorney-in-fact", "power of attorney")
(or attorney-atlaw) a lawyer (UK: barrister (England, Northern Ireland,
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Attorney General) main ( Attorney legal advisor to the government
advocate Wales)/ advocate (Scotland) or solicitor , depending on the actual profession) District ( District attorney, prosecuting attorney) local
public official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminals (archaic in Br. Eng. for lawyer) aubergine
the plant Solanum melongena (US: eggplant )
aweso esome
an eggplant-like colour (US also: eggplant )
inspiring awe, awe, spect ectacul cular great eat, "cool" * (largely used in the 1980s, recently revived; can have various connotations depending on context – compare UK brilliant )
B Word
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
American English meanings
banger banger (n.) (n.) a sausage, sausage, as as in "bange "bangers rs and mash" an old motorcar in a state of disrepair (US: beater )
a type of firework
a particularly club-friendly beat or song
bang ang(s) (s)
smal mall exp explosi losion onss or repo eports; rts; (v.) have sexual intercourse with (vulgar slang) ( eg. "bang some chick" or "he's banging her")
locks of hair on forehead (UK: ringe)
base
foundation, starting point; many meanings in sciences, architecture, politics, military instilation, etc.; see base
in baseball, one of the three places pl aces a runner can stand in safety; hence in many fig. senses, off one's base (crazy), to get to first base (esp. in neg. constr., to get a first important result); more recently (slang), a metaphor for one of three different stages in making out (q.v.) – see baseball metaphors for sex; more s.v. home run
bash
masturbate (vulgar slang) Bash one out or Have a bash) (usu. Bash (but Have a bash more often means the same as Have a go - to try to achieve something, as in "have a bash at this crossword")
to strike physically to attack verbally a party or celebration "they're having a little bash this weekend" (orig. US, but now probably more common in UK than US)
bath bath
(n.) (n.) plum plumbi bing ng fixt fixtur uree for for bath bathin ing g * (n.) (n.) the the act act of bath bathin ing g
(n.) (n.) a bath bathro room om (esp (esp.. a half bath
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(US: bathtub) (usu. pl.) swimming pool
a (financial) loss
(v.) to bathe, or give a bath to bath bathro room om
room room con contai taini ning ng a bath bath (US (US:: bathtub) or shower, other washing facilities, and usu. (but not necessarily) a toilet
beake eakerr
drink inking ing ve vessel ssel with ithout out a ha handle ndle,, flat-bottomed vessel, with a lip, or one (with or without handles) used as a laboratory container. made of unbreakable plastic for the use of children (US: sippy cup)
beater
which has a sink and toilet but no shower stall or bathtub, or a 3/4 bath which has a sink, toilet, and shower stall, but no bathtub) room, in a home or hotel room, containing a toilet, related washing facilities, and often, but not necessarily, a shower and/or bathtub (Hence "Going to the bathroom" is a euphemism for going to the toilet even in a setting where one would not expect to find a bath, e.g. a restaurant or shop *) (a room without shower or bathtub may also be known as a powder room, but this usage may be considered dated)
person who flus lushes game ame from concealment so it can be shot at by 'the guns' something or someone that beats
used car in very poor condition (UK: banger ) (slang) wifebeater (q.v.) a sleeveless undershirt (from the stereotype that poor men who wear them beat their wives, perhaps from Jackie Gleason in "The Honeymooners" TV series (50s/60s U.S.) or more likely from the costume of the character Stanley in the play "A Streetcar Named Desire (play)")
beaver
beard; a be bearded man (ar (arcchaic slang)
aquatic rodent known for building female pubic hair (slang) dams woman's undepilated external genitalia (obscene slang)
besp bespok okee
(esp (esp.. of of app appar arel el)) mad madee to to the the customer's specification (US: custom-made, tailor-made)
pret. of bespeak
bill
The bill = the police (slang, poss. from Old Bill)
invoice; request for payment (also a piece of paper money (UK: note/banknote) US: check , tab) a proposed law before it is voted on by a legislature
billi illio on
(trad tradit itio ion nally lly) a mil milli lion on mill millio ion ns 12 (10 ) (US: trillion)
thousand million (10 9) (now most 109 common in both UK and US) (traditional UK: milliard ) (see also Long and short scales)
bin
(v.) to throw away. (bread bin) container for storing bread (US: breadbox)
(1) a waste container (2) a usu. large receptacle or container for storage ("a grain bin"; "Scrooge McDuck's money bin")
bird bird (n.) n.)
one' one'ss gir girlf lfri rien end d or or any any you young ng avian creature [1] female (slang; getting rarer and an aircraft considered derogatory by some) prison sentence (slang)
biscuit biscuit (n.) baked baked sweet sweet or savour savoury y cake-like cake-like item, usu. flat, which is hard when
insulting hand gesture involving shaking one's fist towards someone with knuckles pointing towards the person being insulted and the middle finger extended (used chiefly in “flipping someone the bird”) (slang) type of quick bread served with savory foods (UK: similar to a
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baked and softens over time (colloquially bikkies for sweet biscuits) (US: cookie (sweet biscuit), cracker savoury biscuit) (to take the biscuit ) to be very surprising (US: take the cake)
savoury scone, or similar in consistency to a croissant)
blinder blinder (n.) excellent excellent perform performance ance in a game or race (slang) "e.g. he played a blinder "
either of two flaps on a horse's bridle to keep it from seeing objects at its sides (UK: blinker , also used in US)
blin blinke kers rs
leat leathe herr ffla laps ps on a bri bridl dlee use used d to to restrict a horse's lateral vision* (US usu.: blinders)
lights on a car that indicate the direction about to be taken * (UK: indicators)
bloc block k (n.) (n.)
a bui build ldin ing g (block of flats, office block )
bloo loody
exp expleti letive ve used sed to to exp exprress ess an anger having, covered with or ("bloody car") or shock ("bloody accompanied by blood hell"), or for emphasis ("not bloody likely") (slang, today only mildly vulgar) * (similar US: damn ("damn car"))
considered a euphemism for more emphatic swear words
blow off
to break wind
to perform oral sex upon
to not turn up to meet somebody (UK: blow out ("I'm just too busy, I'll have to blow you out for this evening.")
bog bog (n. (n.))
toil toilet et (slig slight htly ly vulg vulgar ar slan slang) g) (bog off ) go away (slightly vulgar slang, often jocular)
wetland that accumulates appreciable peat deposits
A plot of farmland used to grow cranberries (a cranberry bog)
bogey
dried na nasal mu mucus us usu. af after extraction from the nose (US: booger ) (informal)
the score score of of one one over over par par in golf golf
an unid unident entifie ified d aircr aircraft aft,, often often assumed to be that of an enemy
a solid piece of something to obstruct
in a city, the portion of a street between adjacent intersections* or an informal rough unit of distance derived from the length of the same
alternate spelling of "Bogie" (nickname of Humphrey Bogart) boiler boiler (n.) (n.)
1.an 1.an old old fowl fowl best best cook cooked ed by by boiling; 2. (derogatory) an ugly woman (usually in the phrase "old boiler")
1. device (usu. oil or gas-fired) for heating water for central heating or hot water *, "central heating boiler" (US furnace); vessel in which steam is generated
bomb (slang)
a striking success; used in the phrases "go (like) a bomb" and "go down a bomb"; Go like a bomb also means, when used of a vehicle, to go very fast
an explosive weapon
(v.) to be a failure ("the show bombed"); bombed"); also as n. (n., used with the) something outstanding ("that show was the bomb"); sometimes spelled da bomb
bombardier corporal in the Royal Artillery Artillery see Bombardier (rank)
bonk
act of sexual intercourse, or to have sexual intercourse (slightly vulgar slang) (US: boink ) bonking off to masturbate.
crew member of a bomber responsible for assisting the navigator in guiding the plane to a bombing target and releasing the aircraft's bomb load - see Bombardier (air force) (UK: bomb aimer ) blow to the head (n. and v.) to suffer glycogen depletion in an endurance sporting event; see hit the wall
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bonne nnet
hinge inged d co cover over the the en engine ine in in a car (US: hood ) various types of Scottish or Irish soft hat
hat tied under chin worn by a baby or (archaically) a woman
boob boob (n. (n.))
a mist mistak akee (sla (slang ng); ); (v. (v.)) to mak makee a mistake
woman's breast (slightly vulgar slang)
boob boob tube tube
woman woman's 's shou shoulde lderle rless, ss, stra straple pless ss top (US: tube top)
boost
stupid person (the boob tube) television (slang)
to (figuratively) lift up; to improve, increase, revitalize.
boot
storage co compartment of of a car (U (US: footwear covering lower leg trunk ) to kick something hard to start up a computer
bottle
courage (" ("he's go got so some bo bottle" le") container for liquids (slang) (US: moxie) (the bottle) alcohol, heavy to fail to do something through drinking (synechdocal slang) fear ("he's bottled out", "he bottled it") (slang) to attack somebody with a broken bottle (slang)
to (literally) lift up, especially a person: booster cushion*, a cushion used to increase the height of a seat (esp. in a car) to steal, especially from a retail establishment (i.e., shoplift ) Denver boot , car boot ) device ( Denver used to render cars immobile (UK: wheel clamp) to expel (UK: give someone the boot ) to vomit (slang)
Give it some bottle = put some
effort into it box
a gift in a box, hence Boxing Day genital protector used in cricket (US similar: cup) (the box) television set (slang) (US: idiot box, boob tube) a box stall in a barn any of various box-like structures, such as: signal box (US: switch/signal/interlocking tower ) telephone box (US & UK also: telephone booth), more at call box witness box (US: witness stand ) either one of the two marked areas adjacent to the goalmouth on a football (soccer) pitch (see here) see also box junction
(n.) rigid container (v.) to attack using one's fists (n.) general-purpose computer (e. g. "this box needs its hard disk reformatted")
braces aces
overer-thethe-sshould oulder er stra strap ps to su support ort devices for straightening teeth trousers * (US usu. suspenders) support that steadies or strengthens something else
brac bracke kets ts
encl enclos osin ing g punc punctu tuati ation on:: ( ) (US (US & UK also: parentheses); more at
any of various areas on a baseball diamond (as for the batter, or the pitcher, the catcher, etc.) female genitalia (obscene slang) * (box canyon) a canyon with vertical walls (box car ) a type of enclosed railroad freight car (UK: goods van)
leg supports (UK: callipers) tertiary enclosing punctuation: { } (UK: curly brackets)
supports for shelves, etc. attached secondary enclosing punctuation: to a wall [] (UK: square brackets)
braces
brew (n.)
tea
bril brilli lian antt
exce excell llen ent, t, of of the the high highes estt qual qualit ity y (rarely sarcastic)
bud
beer very bright (of a light or a brain) very intelligent
stupid (sarcastic use)
undeveloped shoot which normally occurs in the axil of a leaf or at the tip of a plant stem
marijuana (slang) hand-rolled marijuana cigarette (slang), compare joint shortening of 'buddy', used to address strangers assuming a nonexistent familiarity (UK: similar: mate)
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buffet
railway car carriage containing a 1.refreshment 1.refreshment counter or bar; a type of sideboard refreshment counter selling snacks 2.a meal set out on a table, etc. for and drinks, esp. on a train on which a full restaurant car (US: diners to serve themselves dining car ) service is not provided
bug
insect of the order Hemiptera pathogen, bacteria, germ covert listening device (orig. US) defect in software (orig. in a machine) (orig. US) an enthusiast of something (orig. US) Volkswagen Beetle (v.) to apply a covert listening device (orig. US)
any of various insects * (nontechnical usage) an important person ("a big bug"); also, someone crazy (as in "firebug", a pyromaniac) (v.) to annoy (colloquial) * to go away, depart, also from a responsibility (used with out ) (bug off ) to go away (often as a command) (from UK bugger , q.v.)
bugger
to en engage in in or or so someone wh who engages in anal sex a form of address for either a person or item, either jocular ("he's a generous bugger") or less so ("he's a mean bugger") (slang) (buggered ) 1. broken, not working (typically of mechanical devices, e.g. "the engine's buggered") (slang); 2. syn. for bothered (e.g. "I didn't do it. I couldn't be buggered.") buggered.") (slang) (bugger up) to make a mess of something (slang) (bugger off ) (imperative) go away, leave me alone (slang)
term of endearment, often used for children (slang) (in spoken English, the British "bugger" is sometimes misheard by Americans as "booger")
buggy
2-wheeled horse-drawn (slang) an automobile (orig. US) lightweight carriage see baby transport for details baby transport vehicle also called see also dune buggy, beach buggy (UK) pushchair (US: stroller ) any of various light cart or cars ("a golf buggy")
4-wheeled horse-drawn horse-drawn lightweight carriage baby transport vehicle also called (US) baby carriage (UK: pram) regional (esp. South) for shopping cart (UK: trolley) (marsh/swamp buggy) a type of motor vehicle for marshland (slang) caboose (horse and buggy) something obsolete (as from before the invention of the automobile)
bum
to engage in anal sex (vulgar slang)
(1)to cadge ("can I bum a cigarette hobo, homeless person off you?") (slang) poor quality (slang) to sadden (often used with "out") (2) buttocks (slang) (US: butt)
bumps
a type of rowing race a method of marking someone's birthday (see The bumps)
a set of small protuberances
bunk
to be absent witho thout authorizat zation ion: type of bed, where two small beds are stacked on top of each other bunk off , to play truant from (UK bunk (up) with implies sharing a bed, rather than merely a school (US: play hooky) do a bunk , to abscond (US: go on room) nonsense as in "History is the lam) bunk" (from bunkum)
group of plain beds used as nofrills lodging (UK: dormitory, qv); also used as a verb ("I bunked with them in their room"; "The cabin could bunk about 18")
bureau
a type of writing table
a public office or government agency
a type of chest of drawers
burn (n.)
(Scotland (Scotland and Northern Northern England) England) narrow river, stream – more s.v.
wound wound caused caused by heat, or chemical agents, etc.
clearing clearing (as in a forest) forest) made by burning vegetation
creek
(the act of smoking) a cigarette
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caretaker caretaker (n.) one who who takes takes care care of of a building, usu. a state-owned building, i.e. school (US: janitor ; cf. s.v. custodian) one put in charge of a farm after eviction of tenant
one who takes care of someone one who takes care of real estate in or something exchange for rent-free living stopgap government or accommodations * provisional government
carniv carnival al (v.) (v.)
the days days just just prece precedin ding g Lent Lent comic good times marked by special events
carou carousel sel (n.) (n.)
a movin moving g luggag luggage/b e/bagg aggage age display unit, most often at airports
a travelling circus or fair (UK: funfair ) comprising amusement rides a rotating fairground ride (UK: merrygo-round , roundabout )
carria carriage ge (n.) (n.)
railwa railway y coach coach (q.v. (q.v.)) desig designed ned for the conveyance of passengers the conveying of goods or the price paid for it ("carriagepaid"); "handling"
carry-on, carryon
(colloquial) carrying-on, unruly behaviour
luggage that can be carried aboard an aircraft, bus, or train (UK: hand luggage)
cart
a difficult or embarrassing usu. 2-wheeled one-horse state ("he was put in t he cart") vehicle (as that used in farming)
a lightweight wheeled vehicle, as for shopping, serving, carrying baggage, etc. (UK: trolley) cartridge (primarily related to video games)
cask casket et (n.) (n.)
a sma small ll box, box, as for for jew jewel els, s, particularly an antique
The type of coffin with upholstery and a half-open lid, any coffin
casualty (person)
often, someone who has been wounded; hence casualty department (US: emergency room)
generally, someone who has been injured or killed
often, someone who has been killed; see also casualty insurance
catapult
small Y-shaped handheld projectile weapon often used by children (US: slingshot )
a type of medieval siege engine an aircraft catapult
(v.) rise quickly
chaps [?]
men and/or boys (but increasingly used for people of either sex; in the singular it still almost exclusively refers to a male, "Guys" has now become a more popular phrase in the UK) (US & UK: guys) one's friends ("the chaps") (US & UK: the guys) cheeks - as in Bath Chaps stewed pigs' cheeks, a delicacy
check
4-wheeled horse-drawn private (baby carriage) baby transport vehicle passenger vehicle featuring the infant laying down facing the pusher (UK: perambulator , pram) – more s.v. buggy a shopping cart (primarily in North Atlantic states)
leather leggings worn by cowboys and designed to protect the legs against thorns (sometimes pronounced pronounced shaps), short for "chaparajos"
examine for a particular purpose a pattern of coloured squares a warning given in chess
leave items in the care of someone else (e.g. at a cloakroom; hence checkroom) (also check mark ) mark used to denote 'correct' or indicate one's choice (UK: tick , q.v.) request for payment, especially at a restaurant; bill check is also the US spelling of UK cheque
checker
one that checks (e.g. an inspector)
a store or shop cashier (almost always a grocery store) (checkers) a popular board game (UK: draughts)
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cock
(n.) form of address to a man to gain attention or greet e.g. "Wotcha cock!" (n.) a popular personage e.g. Cock o' the North in cock up, to make a mess of things; cock-up is the act or the resulting state of affairs
(n.) a male bird; esp., an adult male chicken (US oftenest rooster ) (n.) penis (vulgar slang) (v.) to set the hammer or firing pin of a loaded firearm ready for firing; likewise, to "cock the shutter" of an old, springactivated camera (n.) A type of tap, faucet, or valve (e.g., a stopcock).
collect
To win a bet (from the idea of (v.) to gather together, to pick (adj., adv.) charged to the receiver ("to picking up the winnings) up; (orig. US) to pick up a call collect", to reverse the charges) ("a person or thing collect call") [from collect on delivery] (n.) short prayer read during the first part of a church service as practised by certain parts of the Christian faith; mainly Anglican and Roman Catholic.
college
part of the name of of some state constituent part of some larger secondary schools (US universities, especially ancient approx.: high school) and universities many independent schools (US approx.: prep school) educational institution between school and university (e.g. sixth form college, technical college, college of further education) vocational training institution professional association which usu. grants some form of professional qualifications, mostly in the medical field (e.g. Royal College of Surgeons)
an independent institution of higher education (as a small university or a division of a university) granting bachelor's degrees generic term for higher education, but only at the undergraduate undergraduate level
comforter
a baby's dummy (q.v.)
quilted bedspread
one who comforts
commission commissioner er profession professional al head of the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police (US: chief of police)
political head of a police department member of any commission
com commode
por portab table toile oilett for use use in a room without plumbing
normal toilet, in a bathroom (q.v.)
compensat compensation ion
the act of compensati compensating ng damages awarded for a legal wrong (workers' compensation) payment to injured workers
remuneration received by employees (unemployment compensation) compensation paid to an unemployed person (as a laid-off lai d-off worker), arising from government resources
conc conces essi sion on
condomini condominium um
redu reduct ctio ion n in in pric pricee (di (disc scou ount nt)) the action of conceding for a certain category of person in politics, the action of a candidate yielding to another an area within one country that is administered by another
a lease or grant of premises or land for a particular use, or the so contractedout service, as in concession stand , i.e. a counter, stand or area at public entertainment venues where snacks and/or drinks are sold, often at inflated prices a concession stand
a political political territory territory (state (state or (also condo) a type of joint ownership border area) in or over which of real property (as an apartment two sovereign powers formally building)
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in which portions of the agree to share equally property are commonly owned and dominium (in the sense of other portions are individually owned; sovereignty) and exercise their an apartment in a condominium rights jointly cons consta tabl blee
tech techni nica call lly, y, a poli police ce offi office cerr of any rank, but usu. understood to mean a police officer of the t he lowest rank (one who holds no other more specific rank) (US: officer or patrolman)
constr construct uction ion
peace officer in a township without an organised police department official who serves summonses (UK: bailiff or sheriff's officer )
the act or proce process ss of buildi building ng road construction and maintenance or constructing; a structure; the work; roadwork ("a construction construction industry area/zone") (UK: roadworks) from construe: the assigning of meaning to ambiguous terms
cooker
an appliance for cooking food a pot or utensil for cooking in (US: cookstove, stove, range); ("pressure cooker", "rice see also AGA cooker cooker", "slow cooker") a cooking apple, a large sour apple used in cooking
a person who cooks (UK always cook )
cookie
a bun (Scotland)
a small packet of information stored on users' computers by a biscuit of a particular variety, websites usually containing chocolate chips (often referred to as a "chocolate chip cookie")
a small, flat baked cake * (UK usu. biscuit , q.v.) fellow, guy * ("a tough cookie"); also, an attractive girl * (that's the way the cookie crumbles) that's how things go (to toss one's cookies) to vomit (cookie-cutter ) trite, banal a cook (army slang)
cop
to take ("cop a look at this", "cop one of these") (slang) to be blamed for, be caught ("he'll cop it!") (slang)
(cop a plea) (law, orig. slang) to plead guilty to a lesser offence to not be tried for a graver charge; compare plea bargain (cop a squat ) to take a seat (slang)
copper
low value coin, brown or the metallic element copper 'copper' coloured (currently 1p police officer (slang, orig. UK) and 2p coins) large copper vessel used for heating water and washing clothes (archaic)
cor corian iander
the the lea leaves ves of the the co corian iander plant, used as a herb (US: cilantro or Chinese parsley)
corn
wheat in England, oats in Scotland and Ireland
cot
infant bed; hence cot death (US: crib)
the plant Coriandrum sativum dried seeds of this plant
in both dialects, the principal Zea mays; originally known as Indian crop cultivated in a particular corn (q.v.; UK usu.: maize or sweetcorn); hence cornfield , cornstarch region Indian Corn, in corn on the (UK: corn flour ), ), corn bread , cornball, cornblade, etc. any of various cereal plants or cob, corn flakes, popcorn something corny *, hence cornball grains (US usu.: grain), also in horny swelling on the foot combination (e.g. cornfield , a field of any cereal) (see also US)
coulee
cour courtt sho shoee
police officer (short for "copper") (slang) (cop a feel) to grope (slang)
camp bed a (solid lidified ied) stream of lava
a wom women en's 's dres dresss sho shoee wit with ha heel (US: pump, q.v.)
(chiefly Western, orig. Canadian ian) a deep steep-sided ravine formed by erosion, or a small valley or stream st ream a type of athletic shoe used for sports played on an indoor court, such as volleyball or squash (UK similar: plimsoll or regionally pump)
Page 15
dead
(of a cup, gl glass, or or bottle) em empty, finished with very, extremely ("dead good", "dead heavy", "dead rich")
deceased completely, perfectly ("dead straight", "dead on", "dead right") extremely quiet (e.g. business or nightlife) (dismissive usage) boring
dead beat, exhausted (slang) (US: dead tired ) deadbeat
DC
Detective Constable, a police officer who works in or with a branch of CID.
deck
depo epot
a loca locati tio on (lar large build uildin ing g or pie piece of land) where buses, trams or trains are stored when not in use and maintained
DI
Detective inspector (police)
diary
personal calendar * (US:
an idler; idler; someone someone who does not pay their debts, often in construction ("deadbeat dad") (slang) direct current (see also other expansions)
District of Columbia
(n.) the floor or level of a ship or other types of vehicles the roadway of a bridge a recording device (v.) to decorate for a festivity ("deck the halls with boughs of holly", "decked out with flags") to hit a person hard enough such that they fall to the floor (orig. US)
a pack of cards a wooden, raised platform adjoining a house, usu. enclosed by a railing a packet of narcotics (slang) (v.) to pile up (logs) on a deck of logs or a skidway (on deck ) in baseball, the hitter due up next ("Albert is on deck, so they must be careful to not walk this batter."). A general usage connotes availability, e.g. "Who's on deck?" (Who is available to do this?). Occasionally used to indicate who is next in line.
a storehouse or depository; a a railroad station or bus terminal location for the storage of military or station; also, an air t erminal or naval supplies. A slow-release drug injection (usu. psychiatric) Drill instructor (military) personal journal
appointment book , appointment calendar , datebook )
digital radio
a radio that receives a DAB signal.
a radio with a digital display
die die (n.) n.)
tool tool used used in meta metalw lwor orki king ng to form form singular of dice, numbered cube a part under pressure used in games of chance (UK: dice for both singular and plural)
dim (trans. v.), dimmer (switch)
to reduce the intensity of a to lower a vehicle headlight's domestic, industrial or other light; beam, typically when approaching hence dimmer (switch) vehicles travelling in the opposite direction at night (UK: dip); hence dimmer switch (UK: dip switch)
diner
one who dines ("a picky dine iner")
dip (trans. to lower a vehicle headlight's to lower into a liquid; esp., a sheep v.), dip beam, typically when approaching or dog in chemical solution; to switch vehicles travelling in the opposite lower and then raise direction at night (US: dim); hence dip switch (distinguished from DIP switch) (US: dimmer switch) (n.) a pickpocket (slang)
rail ailroad dining car (UK: restaurant car ) a type of restaurant (especially prevalent in New Jersey), traditionally but not necessarily often resembling a dining car
Page 17
duplex
composed of two parts two direction (electronical signalling)
(or duplex house) an often vertically divided two-family dwelling * (or duplex apartment ) an apartment on two levels * (duplex locomotive) a large steam locomotive with two sets of driving wheels
E Word
earth
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
American English meanings
safety connection ion of an elec lectrical the planet Earth circuit, or to connect (an electrical soil device) to this (US: ground ) the burrow of some animals
efficiency
the quality of being efficient
(or efficiency apartment ) a minimal often furnished apartment, similar to a studio apartment (UK: compare bedsit )
the letter L
an elevated railway (as that of Chicago or the now-defunct Third Avenue El in New York City)
elev elevato atorr
flap flap on the the back back of an aero aeropl plan anee used to control pitch moving belt to transport grain, hay bales, etc.
platform or cage moved vertically in a shaft to transport people and goods to various floors in a building (UK: lift ) building for grain storage (in full grain elevator )
engaged (adj.)
in use – of a toilet/bathroom stall committed; involved in something (US: occupied ; but the opposite is betrothed vacant in both); of a telephone line (US & UK also: busy), hence engaged tone (US: busy signal)
engi engine neer er
a tec techn hnic ician ian or a per perso son n tha thatt mends and operates machinery
entrée
starter (q.v.) of a meal (usu. "the entrée") right of entry, (traditionally, the course served insider-type access between the fish and the joint, but now used for any starter)
esta estate te
any any defi defin ned area rea of real eal proper operty ty,, as in housing estate (US: subdivision), council estate (US: housing project ) or trading estate (US: industrial park ) car with van-shaped body (US: station wagon)
el
evergreen evergreen
(L) letter identifying a learner driver; see L-plate
one employed to design, build or repair equipment practitioner of engineering
one who operates an engine, esp. a locomotive (UK: engine driver ) main course of a meal
grounds of a large piece of real property which features a mansion and beautiful landscaping property left by a deceased person
non-dec non-deciduo iduous, us, a non-dec non-deciduo iduous us plant eternally youthful, new etc.
(n.) branchlets or sprigs of an evergreen tree, usually a conifer such as pine, spruce or fir, often used as a Christmas decoration wrapped around human-made structures
Page 19
fit fit (ad (adj.) j.)
(of (of a pers person on)) att attra ract ctiv ive, e, sexy sexy (slang)
(of a person) in good physical condition suitable for some purpose (usu. followed by for or to)
fix (v.) (v.)
to make make firm firm,, fast fasten en,, or atta attach ch * (the original sense, no longer very common in US) to set or arrange (as a date) * ("A time has been fixed")
to repair (orig. US) to sterilise (an animal) to manipulate usually underhandedly ("To fix a fight by paying a boxer to take a dive.")
flap lapjac jack
flat lat oat oat cake cake (US (US: granola bar )
flan lannel
a clo cloth th for washi ashing ng the the fac facee or or body (US: washcloth)
particular type of fabric/material used for the manufacture of trousers or suits, but more commonly recognised in America as a fabric used in warm winter night clothes and sheets
flat
(n.) self-contained housing unit (US: apartment ) (adj., of a battery) discharged, exhausted, dead
(adj.) level and smooth structured at a single level, not hierarchical
flip flip-f -flo lop p
to adjust or prepare, esp. food or beverage * ("I'll fix you a sandwich") (esp. South) to get ready ("I'm fixing to retire") to get even with (someone) [1] fix up) to provide ( fix pancake
a type type of foot footwe wear ar (see (see arti articl clee for for synonyms) a type of electronic circuit
(n.) a flat tyre/tire * an apartment that occupies the entire floor of a small building (upstate New York); used also in phrases such as railroad flat an about-face or U-turn (UK also: about-turn), as in politics
fluid ounce (fl. oz.)
liquid measure equal to 28.41 millilitres
liquid measure equal to 29.57 milliliters
flyov lyover er
elev elevat ated ed road road sect sectio ion n (i. (i.e. e. long long road bridge, US: overpass)
ceremonial aircraft flight (UK: flypast ) an elongated left-turn ramp passing over or under the whole highway interchange the flyover is a term for middle America, as distinct from the 'coasts'.
(usu (usuall ally) y) Asso Associ ciat atio ion n foo footb tbal alll (US: (US:
American football
foot footba ball ll
soccer ). ). Less frequently applied to
Rugby football (espec. Rugby Union in English private schools). foot footpa path th
a pav paved ed stri strip p for for pede pedest stria rian n use use,, a narrow trail suitable only for foot especially along the side of a road traffic (US: sidewalk )
forty (40)
forwa orward rd
one one who who play playss in in a forw forwar ard d position in rugby, i.e. one who takes part in scrums.
the number 4 × 10
a 40 acre parcel of land, specifically one sixteenth of a section, constituting the smallest unit of agricultural land commonly surveyed ("back 40", "front 40"). an undeveloped plot of land (as on a farm, ranch, etc.) of unspecified size. in an urban or youth setting, "a 40ounce beer".
an area to the front
a position in basketball, nowadays split into power forwards, who tend to play closer to the basket, and small forwards, who tend to either shoot from the perimeter or drive from the perimeter to the basket.
an outgoing disposition a position in football (soccer) in front of midfielders
Page 21
glaze
general term for thin shiny coatings applied to food, painted surfaces, clayware, etc.; a glossy surface
a slippery coating of ice (also known as sleet , q.v.); a stretch of ice
gob
(n.) mouth; (v., slang) to spit
lump
a large amount ("gobs of") (slang) a sailor
go down (fig.)
to leave a university (as Oxford) to come down (with an illness)
to be acce accept pted ed or reme rememb mber ered ed
to go on, on, hap happe pen n (of (ofte ten n a maj major or event, e.g. a drug bust "it's going down right now!" or "it went down last week". But also used as a greeting, "What's going down?"); oral sex
goods
items to be transported (as by railway) ("a goods train") (US & UK also: freight )
useful objects or services; products; merchandising; personal property incriminating evidence ("we have the goods on him")
goos gooseb eber erry ry
supe supern rnum umer erar ary y thir third d per perso son n a green hairy summer fruit Ribes hirtellum in the USA), preventing a couple from courting ( Ribes Ribes grossularia in Europe) (US: third wheel) ( Ribes
gover governm nment ent
the cabine cabinett or execut executive ive branc branch h (US: the administration) the political party supporting the cabinet in parliament
the the act act or offi office ce of gove govern rnin ing g
grade (education)
a level of music examination ("Guitar grade 4". Usually refers to ABRSM.
(n. & v.) teacher's assessment of a level or year of a student in student's work (UK also mark ) elementary, middle, or high school ("in 10th grade") (UK equiv.: year ); ); hence grader , a student in a specified grade ("a 10th grader") (grade school, the grades) elementary school see also Grade Point Average
grade grade (other) (other)
the the col colle lect ctiv ivee age agenc ncy y thro throug ugh h which government is exercised (UK: the state) all such individual agencies (UK: the public sector )
(n.) a rating, rating, degree, degree, or level; (v.) to lay out in grades [US meaning generated grade separation and the idiom make the grade]
(n.) slope, gradient, or elevation; also ground level ("at grade", "over grade"); hence grade crossing (UK: level crossing) (v.) to level (as a roadbed), hence grader , construction machine for doing this * to finish studying at any educational institution by passing relevant examinations relating to a student taking a higher degree (UK equiv.: "postgraduate"), "postgraduate"), eg. graduate school
graduate (v.) (education) graduate (adj.) (education)
to finish university with a degree relating to a student at the point of gaining, or who has recently completed, a degree
to move from a lower to higher stage; to effect change in steps; to mark with units of measurement or other divisions.
graft
hard work
to join or connect two separate but similar items (typically in biology, especially medicine and horticulture) a form of political-economic corruption
grass
an informant (often to the po police) green ground cover (to grass on) to tell on somebody marijuana (US: to squeal)
grazing; to feed (livestock) with grass (UK: at grass, to put out to grass)
grammar school
a type of secondary s econdary school, normally a selective state funded school
elementary school (less common today)
Page 23
high highwa way y
(chi (chief efly ly in in off offic icia iall use) use) pub publi licc road; see Highway Code
hike
(highway robbery) something too main road (as between cities) expensive; see also highwayman (divided or dual highway) a road with two roadways and at least four lanes (UK: dual carriageway) (highway post office) in the past, a bus transporting mail that was sorted en route a usu. recreational walk
an increase in amount (as in wages) * (to take a hike) to go away (also used as a command)
hire
to rent * (as a car); rental (hire purchase) a purchase carried out over time by making regular payments (US: installment plan)
to employ, recruit *; a person who is recruited
hob
the flat top surface of a cooking stove (US: cooktop) a part of a fireplace an elf
hock
a Ge German wine (" ("down th their four- hock (zoology) and-twenty throats went four-andtwenty imperial pints of such rare old hock" – Charles Dickens) (US: Rhine wine) Hock tide, an ancient holiday
pawn (n. & v.) ("I can borrow a dime from the barber, an' I got enough junk to hock for a blowout" – Jack London); prison (both from Dutch) * debt the end of a smoked ham * to hock-a-loogie, to spit.
hockey ckey
hoc hockey key pla playe yed d wit with h a ball all on on gra grasss hockey played on a hard surface field hockey) * ( field (e.g. concrete) or indoors
hockey played on ice with a puck (ice hockey) *
hog
(dialect) a yearling sheep
trouble (as in "raising hob" chiefly US) (UK has less common "playing hob")
to take more than one's fair share adult pig of something motorcycle, especially a large one (road hog) motorist who holds up such as a Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson other traffic by driving slowly or out of lane; any bad driver
hole-in-the- automatic teller machine, cash wall machine (informal)
a small, out-of-the-way place, as a restaurant, with a negative connotation. However, often used to preface a compliment, e.g. "just a hole-in-the-wall place you've never heard of, but they serve the best steak in the city."
holiday
see Federal holiday (the Holidays) the days comprising Christmas and New Year's Day (and Hanukkah), and often also Thanksgiving (used esp. in the phrase "happy Holidays")
see Bank Holiday day when people are generally (often pl.) time taken off from exempt from work, school, etc. work, school, etc., including the period between school terms (US: break , vacation) recreational trip away from home (US: vacation)
festival, whether or not generally entailing a public holiday: "Halloween is my favorite holiday" home
(noun): condition of domesticity,
or one's permanent and regular shelter, but not the physical structure or property.
In AmE widely used also to mean the physical structure and property, and references to them, e.g., "home loans", "homeowners", "homeowners", and "tract homes". This usage is overwhelmingly overwhelmingly predominant in commercial language and public discourse, e.g. "the home mortgage crisis".
Page 27
lead
(rhyming with "speed") a cable (US: cord ), ), or a dog's leash
to guide through
leader
newspaper ed editorial main violin in an orchestra (US: concertmaster ) see also Leader of the Opposition
one who leads
lect lectur urer er
the the entr entryy-le leve vell acad academ emic ic ran rank k at a someone who gives a lecture university (below Senior Lecturer, Reader, and Professor) (US: "assistant professor") professor")
a pipe for carrying water ("rain water leader")
lemonade lemonade clear, carbonate carbonated, d, lemon-fla lemon-flavour voured ed drink similar to Sprite and 7Up (lemon and lime flavoured)
non-carbonated non-carbonated drink made by mixing lemon juice, sugar, and water (UK: traditional lemonade)
let
to rent (as real property) * ("rooms allow, give permission. to let") leave (as in let him be or let it be) ease (as in let up on the (n.) the act of renting; rented accelerator ) indicate (as in don't let on) premises a first bad serve which is allowed (let out ) to reveal to be retaken, as in tennis, table tennis, and volleyball
(let out ) to end (of school, meetings, etc.)
leve levee, e,
an ear early afte afterrnoon oon asse assemb mbly ly held eld by the King or Queen, to which only men were admitted (Always levée, with accent)
a reception in honour of a particular person
an embankment on a river (as the Mississippi River) the steep bank of a river, or border of an irrigated field (esp. Southern & Western US) a landing place or quay
mecha mechanic nical al advant advantage age of a lever lever
take take advant advantage age of a capab capabilit ility y (business) the use of debt finance (UK: gearing)* knowledge not immediately revealed to be used to one's advantage
a person who holds the political ideals of Liberalism.
a person who advocates modern liberalism; see American liberalism
levera leverage ge
liberal (politics)
a person who generally supports the ideas of the UK Liberal Democrats, a centre left-party
life preserver
a type of weapon for self-defence (US: blackjack )
life vest, personal flotation device (UK: lifebelt or lifejacket )
lift lift (n.) (n.)
plat platfo form rm or cage cage move moved d ver verti tica call lly y in a shaft to transport people and goods to various floors in a building (US: elevator )
ride as a passenger in a vehicle (as an elevation in mood, "I got a lift in, to give someone a lift) just talking with her." item placed in shoe to increase the height of the wearer, normally plural (lifts, elevator shoes)
line
(see also track )
a breadthless length
liquor
the broth result ulting ing from the prolonged cooking of meat or vegetables. Green liquor is traditionally served with pie and mash in the East End of London
a group of persons, usually waiting for something, arranged in order of arrival (UK: queue) a lie, short for a line of bull a phrase used for hitting on women, short for pickup line to hit a line li ne drive (a hard straight shot) in baseball a distilled beverage * (hard liquor ) strongly alcoholic beverage; spirits (liquor store) retail establishment selling liquor (usu. for consumption off the premises) (UK similar: off-licence) ("I held up and robbed a hard liquor store" – Paul Simon)
Page 28
load loaded ed
the stat statee of a fire fireaarm with ith bull bullet etss or shells in its firing chamber. bearing a load. (slang; of a person) rich
drunk or high
lot
(the lot ) the whole thing (US similar: the whole schmear or enchilada or ball of wax or shebang)
(a lot ) a great deal a number of things (or, informal, i nformal, people) taken collectively fate, fortune a prize in a lottery
a measured plot of land; a portion of land set for a particular purpose ("a building lot"), e.g. for parking ("parking lot") or selling ("used car lot") automotive vehicles. But also a "vacant lot" a film studio
lounge
a ro room fo for rel relaaxati ation an and entertainment in a house (lounge bar ) part of a pub
a room for relaxation in a public place
a bar
love (in informal te term of of address addressing people) love lovese seat at
beloved pe person, da darling (- often a term of endearment)
a seat seat whic which h acco accomm mmod odat ates es two two people facing in opposite directions. Can be wooden or padded.
lox
a two-seater couch
liquid oxygen (engineering)
thin-sliced smoked salmon, commonly consumed on bagels a lug nut fastens a tire to the wheel, (UK wheel nut). a "big lug" is usually a term t erm of endearment for a large shy, goofy man.
lugs (n.)
ears (lugholes)
a small projection (engineering)
lumb lumber er
(n.) (n.) disu disuse sed d ite items ms (as (as fur furni nitu ture re)* )*;; hence lumber room (v.) to encumber (as with such items) ("I was lumbered with work")
(v.) to move awkwardly or heavily (n.) timber that has been sawed ("he lumbered out the door") and (partly) prepared for construction or woodworking; hence lumberyard (UK: timberyard ), ), lumber camp, lumberjack , lumberman, lumber wagon, lumber town, etc. (v.) to log and prepare timber to make a rolling sound (dated)
lush attractive (usu. used by women in (slang; of reference to men - principally a person) West Country)
luxuriant
an alcoholic * especially female
M Word
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
mac
raincoat; abbreviation of Macintosh
a brand of Apple inc. computers; abbreviation of Macintosh.
maci macint ntos osh h
rain rainco coat at (of (often ten shor shorte tene ned d to mac) a bran brand d of of App Apple le inc. inc. compu computer terss (often shortened to Mac) (wrongly) McIntosh Red, a type of apple
American English meanings
(Slang; proper n.) A term of informal address used with male strangers; generally implies more unfriendliness or disapproval than the more neutral 'pal' or 'buddy': "Get your car out of my way, Mac!" Stereotypically used by working-class working-class New Yorkers such as cab drivers. UK generally 'mate'. Cf. 'Jack.'
Page 33
PC
police constable
pecker
courage, pl pluck (s (slang, us used in in th the phrase "keep your pecker up", remain cheerful)
penis (slang)
peckish
slightly hungry, snackish *
irritable or angry (rare)
peg
(n.) (often clothes peg) a wooden or plastic device for fastening laundry on a clothesline (US: clothespin) (v.) to fasten (laundry) on a clothesline
(n.) a cylindrical wooden, metal etc. object used to fasten or as a bearing between objects (v.) to fix or pin down (v.) to hit with a projectile
penny
(pl. pence, or, when referring to coins, pennies) 1/100 (formerly, 1/240) of the Pound Sterling [listed here to reflect ordinary usage]
a small amount usu. in contrast to (pl. pennies) a cent (esp. the coin) a larger one ("Penny wise, Pound penny-ante) trivial, small-time. foolish", common phrase in both ( penny-ante British and American usage)
period
politically correct personal computer other expansions
section of time menstruation, Time period, The Periodic Table.
(n.) a throw (as in baseball) (v.) to identify or classify (as someone) *
punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence (interj.) used at the end of a statement to emphasise its finality * ("You are not going to that concert, period!") (UK: full stop for both senses)
pint
about 6/5 of US measure, 20 Imperial fluid ounces (19.2 US fl. oz.), 568 ml pint of beer, lager or cider ("Pour us a pint")
about 5/6 of British (Imperial) measure, 16 US fluid ounces (16.65 Imperial fl. oz), 473 ml
piss
(on the piss) drinking heavily, going out for the purpose of drinking heavily (to take the piss) to mock
pissed
intoxicated, drunk (often pissed as urinated (usu. vulgar) a newt ; sometimes pissed up) pissed off ) angry, irritated ( pissed
angry, irritated
pitch
outdoor site for a stall or some other business site for a tent (US: campsite, q.v.) playing field for a particular sport football pitch, rugby pitch, ( football cricket pitch, etc.) (US: field )
in baseball, the delivery of a baseball by a pitcher to a batter "pitching a tent" (slang): to have an erection (describes the shape of the fabric covering one) (slang) to dispose a brief summary of a broader work or idea meant to be attractive to a third party e.g. "What's the pitch?"
pitcher
a large container (often earthenware), usually round with a narrow neck, used for holding water or another liquid [4] (US: jug)
pitman
a miner working in a pit
urine (usu. vulgar) urinate (usu. vulgar) low-quality beer (vulgar)
an attempt to persuade somebody to do something, usu. to accept a business proposal a sticky black substance obtained from tar the slope of a roof rotation on a lateral axis (as an aircraft or spacecraft) the frequency of a sound to erect a tent to discard (in various card games, e.g., bridge)
any container with a handle and lip or spout for liquids* [5] (UK: jug) baseball player who pitches (throws) baseball towards the batter (UK: bowler ) (gay slang, from baseball) a top or dominant partner the man that stands in a pit when sawing timber (with another man standing above)
a connecting rod (as in a sawmill) a master barbecuer, the person responsible for managing a barbecue pit.
Page 35
Professor, and (Full) Professor (the latter being largely equivalent to the UK meaning) project
prom
a plan; a temporary endeav eavour undertaken to create a unique product or service
shortening of of 'p 'promenade co concert', originally one of a series of concerts (The Proms) held as part of a classical music festival that takes place in the late summer based around the Royal Albert Hall in London, but now also used elsewhere shortening of 'promenade', a raised walk next to the beach in seaside resorts
protest (v.t.)
publicly subsidised usu. lowincome housing development – see public housing in the United States and Canada (UK: cf. s.v. estate) dance/party held for pupils to celebrate the end of a school year/graduation, a shortening of 'promenade', a formal parade *
to forcefully express an opinion, to advocate: "The prisoner protested his innocence."
to campaign or demonstrate against: "The prisoner's friends protested the judge's decision." (UK: protest against )
public school
long-established and prestigious fee-paying independent school in England or Wales (note that not all private schools are classed as public schools) (US: prep school)
tax-supported school controlled by a local governmental governmental authority (UK: state school) * (also in Scotland & Northern Ireland)
pud
short for pudding, especially in "Christmas pud" (pronounced /ɑpȚd/)
slang term for penis (pronounced /ɑpȜd/) (from 'pudendum')
pudding
dessert co course of of a meal eal a heavy dessert or main course (e.g. steak and kidney pudding), pudding), often suet-based used in the name of some other savoury dishes (e.g. black pudding, pease pudding)
a creamy dessert
pull
to persuade someone to be one's date or sex partner (slang) (on the pull) seeking a date or sex partner (slang)
to move something towards oneself an injury to a muscle, tendon, or ligament, e.g. "I've pulled my hamstring."
pull off
(of a vehicle) to start moving
to succeed in a task
pump (shoe)
(regional) a plimsoll (US: sneaker )
the word (of unknown origin) has usu. women's high(ish) heeled variously denoted a pantofle, a shoe (UK similar: court shoe, low thin sole shoe, a formal men's q.v.) shoe
to carry out a task (esp. milit.) ("to pull guard duty")
Reebok Pump) a brand of athletic ( Reebok shoe with an internal inflation mechanism
punk
purse
feminine money container or wallet (US: coin purse)
follower of Punk music
worthless person; from conventional societal perspective any young outlaw or tough; from perspective of outlaws and others valuing physical fighting, a coward
in boxing etc, the money to be awarded in a prize fight
handbag
Page 36
pussy
pylon
electricity pylon, pa part of an electric power transmission network * (US: mast or transmission tower )
a cat (becoming less common in the US, due to the other meanings) Slang term for vagina
a weakling
A large architectural feature, usually found as one of a pair at the entrance to ancient Egyptian temples - see Pylon (architecture)
traffic cone; temporary traffic lane separator. support structure for suspension bridge or highway
Meanings common to British and American English
American English meanings
Q Word
quart
British English meanings
1/4 (U (UK) ga gallon or or 2 (UK) pi pints. Liquid measure approximately 1.136 litres (6/5 of an American quart).
quarter
1/4 (US) gallon or 2 (US) pints. Liquid measure equal to 0.946 litres (5/6 of a British quart). one of four equal parts into which 25 cents (a fourth of a dollar) something is divided, as a quarter hour or, especially for financial purposes, a quarter of a year; in generic usage (as in fractions), US usu. fourth
queue eue
a gro grou up of perso erson ns, usuall ually y wait waitin ing g an ordered sequence of objects, for something, arranged in order of from which the first one in is also al so arrival * (US: line) the first one out (cf. Stack (data structure))
quid
colloquial te term fo for po pound st sterling (plural is quid also; in Ireland it can refer to the punt or Euro)
a measure (mouthful) of chewing tobacco
quite
to so some ex extent or or de degree, e. e.g. in in the phrase "quite good" meaning "mediocre, acceptable" or "good, well done" (a meiotic usage, depending on voice intonation)
to the fullest extent or degree ("All art is quite useless" – Oscar Wilde) to a great extent or degree
agreeing with a given statement, often expressing reluctant agreement or disbelief ("I'm innocent, and this document proves it!" "Quite.") according to intonation)
R Word
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
rabb abbit
(v.) (slang ang) to talk alk at length, usually about trivial things; usually to 'rabbit on'
(n.) the animal rabbit, a lagomorph
railroad
tramway (obsolete)
(v.) to coerce to convict with undue haste or with insufficient evidence
railw ailway ay
the the gen gener eral al term term for for the the syst system em of mass transit using trains running on rails: see usage of the terms railroad and railway
American English meanings
the general term for the system of mass transit using trains running on rails: see usage of the terms t erms railroad and railway (v.) to work on the railroad to transport by railroad see also at underground tramway
Page 39
S Word
saloon
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
closed car having two or (usu.) officers' dining room on a four doors, a front and rear seat merchant ship and a separate boot/trunk (US: sedan) (saloon bar ) posh bar within a pub or hotel passengers' lounge on a liner or luxury train (US approx.: parlor car )
scalp (v.)
to cut the scalp off; to take something away
American English meanings
bar, especially in the Wild West bar that serves only spirits and no food a room in a house used for receiving guests; a salon
to resell (as tickets) at higher prices (UK: tout ) to trade (as stocks) for quick profits
scheme
official systematic pl plan (as of the a plan, often secret or devious; a government) government) ("a pension plot ("criminal scheme") scheme") (Scotland) Low-cost public housing (US: project )
school
place of primary or secondary education
scrappy
not ne neatly or organised or or po poor
grouping of departments or large department within a university faculty (among other meanings, e.g., a group of experts sharing perspective or methods, or a group of fish)
fragmentary
a scrappy player is one who sometimes plays well, but often plays badly. to tran transf sfer er temp tempor orar aril ily y to to alternative employment (pronounced /sǸɑkǢnd/, to rhyme with "beyond")
sectio section n (v.t.) (v.t.)
to deta detain in unde underr the the Menta Mentall Health Health to cut or slice into sections Act 1983 On section, detained in a mental hospital.
seeded (grapes, etc.) semi
bellicose or fightingly determined
to endorse, support, or bring reinforcements
a chair or windowed cabin, carried by at least two porters in front and behind
a common car body style (UK: saloon, q.v.)
with the seeds left in
having had the seeds removed (uncommon usage) (also seedless, used in UK)
semi-detached house (US:
semi-trailer truck (UK: articulated lorry)
duplex)
series (television)
any school normally serving minor children of any age, or in a college or university at any level; at school: usually, physically present on campus. (UK: at school for both)
a scrappy player is one who compensates for a lack of size or speed with grit and determination.
seco second nd (v.) (v.)
sedan
any educational institution; in school: state of being a pupil in
a single batch of episodes of a television programme (US: season)
all of the episodes of a particular television program
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smashed
beaten, destroyed as in it was smashed
Exceedingly drunk
smok smokes esta tack ck
a syst system em (as (as a pipe pipe)) for for vent ventin ing g hot gases and smoke: such a system on buildings, locomotives (UK primarily: chimney or unnel), and ships (UK & US also: funnel)
(attrib.) heavy industry, manufacturing industry * ("smokestack industries", "smokestack stocks")
smudge
a blurry spot or streak
a smouldering mass placed on the windward side to protect from frost or keep insects away (as in smudge pot)
snout
police informant tobacco (slang)
pig's nose nose (slang)
sod
unpleasant person, originally layer of grass and earth (in UK in turf short for sodomite ("He's a sod, a formal/literary sense) isn't he?") unfortunate person when prefixed by 'poor' ("The poor sod's had his wallet nicked.") or 'silly' ("The silly sod really got it knackered.")
soda
carbonated water, or any nonany of various chemical alcoholic drink made with it, but compounds compounds containing sodium not usu. one sold ready-mixed (as sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate), carbonated water
(regional) carbonated soft drink, usu. one sold ready-mixed (also 'pop,' 'soda pop') (UK: fizzy drink or colloquially (fizzy) pop)
solicitor
lawyer wh who advises cl clients, represents them in the lower courts, and prepares cases for barristers to try in higher courts * (considered overly formal in US)
one that solicits (e.g. contributions to charity), an advertiser, a promoter; often annoying chief law officer of a city, town, or government department
solitaire
peg-jumping pu puzzle ga game (s (see peg solitaire)
sort (v.)
to deal with; hence sorted as to arrange or classify; often used expression of appreciation; with out (slang) to be adequately supplied with narcotics
any of a family of one-player card games (see solitaire) (UK: patience)
all used with out : to arrange or take care of (something) * to solve an esp. difficult situation (also reflexive) * (informal) to set (someone) straight, or to get even with (someone) sorted , to have or get fixed, have problems worked out, so things are working correctly ("He's really got it sorted now.") spanner
general term for a tool used for turning nuts, bolts, etc. (US: wrench, q.v.) something interfering (US: (monkey) wrench)
a wrench with holes or pins at its it s end for meshing with the object to be turned (UK: C spanner )
spaz
(offens ensive ive) Incompetent, useless ess, disabled person (from spastic)
uncoordinated ted, messing something up. Can be used selfreferentially. Has less offensive connotations in American usage.
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switch
swit switch chba back ck
(n.) see electric switch, telephone switch, network switch (v.) to operate a switch to exchange, swap, make a shift
a roa road d or or rai railw lway ay that that alte altern rnate ately ly ascends and descends a roller coaster
(n.) mechanism that allows a railway vehicle to change tracks (UK: points); hence switch engine or switcher (UK: shunter ), ), switchyard (UK: marshalling yard ), ), switch tower (UK: signal box) (v.) to change tracks by means of a switch see also bait and switch a zigzagging road or railway, usu. in the mountains; also, a hairpin turn in a road or trail
T Wo r d
tab
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
a cigarette (Geordie) a small projection, flap, etc. to run; often used in the military an informal credit account, usu. at to refer to double-time or quick- a bar ("Put it on my tab") time marching. From the abbreviation Tactical Advance to Battle.
American English meanings
a formal account for services at a restaurant or bar ("May I have the tab?", "Pick up the tab") (UK always bill in this context)
table (verb) (also lay on the table) to raise for (as a consideration parliamentary procedure or in the context of a meeting)
(also lay on the table) to suspend from consideration, to shelve; (colloquial) to postpone
tailba lback
queue of vehicl icles, es, tra traffic jam (US: gridlock , backup)
offensive backfield position in American football
tank top
jumper (US: sweater ) without sleeves
sleeveless t-shirt (UK: vest , q.v.) (also see wifebeater ) *
tanner
slang for a pre-decimalisation sixpence coin or sixpence value
one who tans
tap
valve through which liquid is drawn and dispensed * (US usu.: faucet , spigot )
a spile or spigot in a cask; a device for dispensing beer from a keg phone tap) a device for listening ( phone to other people's telephone calls (tap up) to covertly enter negotiations ("The manager accused the other team of tapping up his player") (tap dance) A type of dance e.g. "I go to tap every Saturday"
tart
female prostitute (In US, generally understood but not generally used except in pop tart [overly sexualised female singer])
(adj) sour-flavoured, sarcastic (n) any of several forms of sweet dessert or snack consisting of filling (usually fruit) in a pastry shell
tea
afternoon snack (US: late lunch) evening meal (sometimes called high tea)
a hot beverage made by infusing Iced tea sometimes taken with Camellia sinensis leaves (hot lemon and/or sugar tea); Herb tea a tea-like beverage made from herbs (UK infusion
(archaic))
to select, designate; esp. to publicly select for a special honour from one's peers as in the (possibly apocryphal) American Indian ceremony ("She was tapped for the position of CEO") and as in being designated a college fraternity pledge. vulgar slang for "have sex with"
Page 47
tom
prostitute -- hence tomming (pp.), the activity of prostitution a private in the Parachute Regiment (slang)
unneutered male cat
torch
handheld device that emits light (US: flashlight )
flaming club used as a light source
(v.) commit an act of arson. (n.) an arsonist.
tosser
idiot (l (literally, so someone wh who masturbates, a derogatory term similar to wanker )
one that tosses
not a hoarder; someone who gets rid of things ie "are you a keeper or tosser?"
I don't care
that's unfortunate (short for "tough luck")
tough (interj.) tout
(v.) to resell tickets at higher prices (US: scalp) to get and sell information on racehorses (n.) one who resells tickets (US: scalper ) one who gets and sells information on racehorses (n.) a police informer (mainly used in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland [6] [7]) (US: stool pigeon, England: grass)
(v.) to importune, solicit, or (v.) to promote, recommend ("the canvass movie was touted as a (n.) one who does this [the n. masterpiece") appears to be in more general use in UK; cf. s.v. US solicitor ]
tower, a fortified keep, too small to be man-made structure, taller than it tower block named a "castle", e.g. along the is wide (see control tower, English/Scottish Border ("a peel watchtower, water tower) tower"), along the English coast & elsewhere (inc. occas. U.S. Eastern Seaboard) ("a Martello tower"), around the Jersey (Channel Islands) coast ("a Jersey tower");
power line transmission structure (UK usu. & US occas. pylon, q.v.); railroad building containing levers for working switches (q.v.) and signals ("an interlocking tower") (UK: signal box) hence towerman, person in charge of any such tower (UK, for a signal box: signalman)
tower block — a high-rise block (q.v.) of flats townhouse, town house
historically, residence of a peer or a house in town (as opposed to member of the aristocracy in the one in the country) capital or major city (Scots) town hall (modern usage) a fashionable urban house, usu. terraced, often at least 3 storeys
one of two or more single-family houses of uniform design and joined by common sidewalls * (US also rowhouse, UK usu. terraced house for more than two, or semi(-detached) for two joined houses)
town townsship
in the the pas past, t, a su subdivis ivisio ion n us used to administer a large parish (Scotland) a very small agricultural community
an approx. 36-square-mile 36-square-mile 2 (93 km ) division of land comprising 36 sections a unit of local government, see civil township
track
a trail a footprint awareness ("keep/lose track") recorded material distance between wheels of a vehicle a racetrack or racecourse the rails of a railway (UK often: line)
used in railway stations (as with following number) to denote the place where a train arrives at and departs from ("Is that the Chattanooga choo choo, track 29?") (UK: platform) track and field, athletics, esp. the sports performed on the running track categorisation of students according to their needs
Page 49
trooper
cavalry horse troopship (obs.) rank held by a private in the Household Cavalry, Royal Armoured Corps or SAS
state police officer ("state trooper") (slang) a heroic person that prevails against the odds or takes on a difficult labor without complaint
truck
railway vehicle for carrying goods; can be open ("a coal truck") or covered ("a cattle truck") – cf. s.v. wagon
any of various vehicles for motor vehicle for carrying heavy carrying esp. things or animals, as cargo * (UK usu. lorry); see also a forklift truck or a pickup truck garbage truck (UK: dustcart ), ), truck stop (UK: transport cafe) produce grown for the market; hence truck farm (UK: market garden) a hand-truck (UK: trolley) in a railroad car, the undercarriage assembly incorporating wheels, suspension, and brakes (UK: bogie) (v.) to transport by or drive a truck; to move around carelessly
trunk
primary road (trunk road ) (trunk call) long-distance telephone call (dated)
the human torso the main stem of a tree large (person-sized) container (also travelling chest ) proboscis, particularly that of an elephant
tube
(often cap.) the London a cyli cylind ndri rica call struc structu ture re or or devi device ce subterranean railway system ("the London Underground") (very strictly, only the deep lines of t he London Underground, not the sub-surface ("cut and cover") lines); (sometimes incorrectly applied to that of other cities, e.g. "the Berlin tube")
telev televis isio ion n
turnout
strike, walkout
a place along a highway for slower cars to pull over, in order to let others pass, or for brief parking (UK: layby)
twat
someone who is being stupid vulva (vulgar) (offensive; considered vulgar by some) to hit someone or something hard ("say that again and I'll twat you!" (pronounced /ɑtwæt/)
twister tyke
someone from Yorkshire (informal, sometimes disparaging)
number of people taking part in an event ("voter turnout") a railroad switch or point equipment output
storage compartment compartment of a car (UK: boot ) (trunk line) a main railway line (as from Chicago to New York City) (UK: main line)
(pronounced /ɑtwǡət/)
something that twists; see also Twister (game)
a tornado
term of endearment for a child, like "little rascal"
a young animal
U Word
British English meanings
underground underground (often cap.) subterranean subterranean railway system, esp. the ones in London & Glasgow (US: subway or metro) -see also tube
Meanings common to British and American English
American English meanings
subterranean (Underground Railroad or Railway) (before 1863) the illicit a subterranean space or channel network of clandestine routes by grapevine (in the sense of an which slaves were helped to informal communication network) escape to free states and Canada
Page 51
separating two river drainage basins; water parting * (oldfashioned or nontechnical in US; US usu. divide) the time of day before which programme content of a specified or implied kind may not be screened and after which it is permissible well
really (colloquial, used for adverb of good emphasis) ("that was well funny") healthy, in good form pit sunk to obtain water or oil
wicke icked d
(int (inter erje ject ctio ion) n) used used for for som somet ethi hing ng very good, astounding or interesting ("Wicked!")
(adj (adj.) .) evi evil; l; fier fierce; ce; rog rogui uish sh;; vile vile
(adv (adver erb) b) ver very y (esp (esp.. New New Engl Englan and) d) ("Wicked good")
wifebeater, (slang) the beer Stella Artois wife(perh. also related to "A Streetcar beater Named Desire")
(wife beater ) one who beats up his a sleeveless undershirt (such as wife that worn by Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire") * (also Scotland)
wing panel of a car that encloses the (vehicles) wheel area (US: fender )
apparatus used to create lift in aeronautics a type of spoiler (on racecars) the act of carrying out an activity with little or no planning, To wing something, "Let's wing it!" (slang)
wing wingnu nutt
(n.) (n.) dero deroga gato tory ry term term for for a pers person on with prominent, sticking out, ears
(n.) a nut with projections to allow (n.) (mild) a crazy or strange application of greater torque with person the fingers Wingnut (politics), an a type of tree uncomplimentary uncomplimentary term for someone of right-wing or conservative views
wink ink
(n.) "wink inker", slang ang term fo for a turn (n. & v.) the closing of one eye indicator (US: see blinker )
wrangle (v.)
to bicker or quarrel angrily and noisily
(esp. West) to herd horses or other livestock; back-formation from wrangler
to achieve through contrivance; to wangle wrec wreck k (n.) (n.)
ship shipwr wrec eck k that which remains of something wrecked someone who is unwell or out of sorts (e.g. "nervous wreck")
a usu. major road, rail, or air accident or collision
wrench
a sudden pull or twist emotional distress
a tool used for tightening nuts and bolts * (used in UK chiefly in combination, e.g. torque wrench) something disrupting (often monkey wrench) ("that will throw a monkey wrench into my plans") (UK usu. spanner for both senses)
X Word
xerox
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
the Xerox Corporation
American English meanings
(n.) A photocopied document * (v.) To photocopy *
Page 52
Y Word
yankee, yank
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
(sometimes disparaging, esp. when someone from the U.S. shortened to yank )
yard
a courtyard an enclosed space used for a particular activity (as a railway service area, a lumberyard or timber yard, a junkyard, etc.) a unit of length
American English meanings
(n.)a Ne New Englander or patriot from the American Revolution, in the South, someone from the Northern US (often disparaging). A Minnesotan would not consider himself a Yankee or use the word regularly, but would consider someone from Connecticut to be a yankee, a Texan would consider both yankees, but not himself, and would be much more likely to use the word; a player for the New York Yankees baseball team enclosed area of land surrounding a dwelling, usu. comprising lawn and play area (UK usu.: garden) yard sale) see garage sale ( yard a campus (e.g. Harvard Yard) a place (as in a forest) where deer gather in winter 100 dollars (slang) a billion (slang, finance) go yard , to hit a home run
Z Word
British English meanings
Meanings common to British and American English
American English meanings
z
(pronounced /ɑzǫd/)
the last letter of the alphabet
(pronounced /ɑziə/) a nap ("to catch some z's") zero or no ("I have z cash right now.")
zebra
zebra crossing) a type of ( zebra pedestrian crossing (pronounced /ɑzǫbrǩ/) *
an Afric frican an equ equine ine mam mamma mall
a ref refer eree ee (as in Ameri mericcan footb otball) all) (from their striped uniforms) (pronounced /ɑziəbrǩ/)
zip
(short for zip fastener ) a fastening a sharp, hissing sound device (US: zipper ) impetus file format for compressed files ("archive.zip")
zero (often in scores, similar to the UK's nil) (often all cap.) the ZIP Code (from Zone Improvement Plan), the postal code used by the USPS
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