Differences between British English and American English spelling
It can be said that American English has the more economical and phonetic spelling. Unnecessary letters are left out and words are spelled how they sound.
Here are some of the main differences in the spellings.
1. Words ending in -or vs. -our
American English vs. British English:
- Armor - Armour
- Behavior - Behaviour
- Color - Colour
- Endeavor - Endeavour
- Favorite - Favourite
- Flavor - Flavour
- Glamor - Glamour
- Honor - Honour
- Humor - Humour
- Labor - Labour
- Neighbor - Neighbour
- Odor - Odour
- Rumor - Rumour
- Savor - Savour
- Splendor - Splendour
- Vigor - Vigour
2. Words ending in -ll vs. -l
American English vs. British English:
- Enrollment - Enrolment
- Fulfill - Fulfil
- Jewelry - Jewellery
- Skillful - Skilful
3. Words ending in -og vs. -ogue
American English vs. British English:
- Analog - Analogue
- Boogeyman - Bogeyman
- Catalog - Catalogue
- Dialog - Dialogue
4. Words ending in -ck or -k vs. -que
American English vs. British English:
- Bank - Banque
- Check - Cheque
- Checker - Chequer
5. Words ending in -ze vs. -se
American English vs. British English:
- Analyze - Analyse
- Apologize - Apologise
- Criticize - Criticise
- Memorize - Memorise
- Minimize - Minimise
- Organize - Organise
- Paralyze - Paralyse
- Patronize - Patronise
- Prize - Prise
- Realize - Realise
- Recognize - Recognise
- Socialize - Socialise
- Specialize - Specialise
6. Words ending in -er vs. -re
American English vs. British English:
- Center - Centre
- Amphitheater - Amphitheatre
- Caliber - Calibre
- Fiber - Fibre
- Kilometer - Kilometre
- Liter - Litre
- Louver - Louvre
- Luster - Lustre
- Maneuver - Manoeuvre
- Meager - Meagre
- Meter - Metre
- Saber - Sabre
- Scepter - Sceptre
- Somber - Sombre
- Theater - Theatre
7. Words ending in -e vs. -oe or -ae
American English vs. British English:
- Encylopedia - Encycopaedia
- Estrogen - Oestrogen
- Leukemia - Leukaemia
- Maneuver - Manoeuvre
- Medieval - Mediaeval
- Pediatric - Paediatric
8. Words ending in -dg vs. -dge (or -g vs. -gu)
American English vs. British English:
- Aging - Ageing
- Argument - Argument
- Judgment - Judgement
9. Words ending in -ed vs. -t
American English vs. British English:
- Dreamed - Dreamt
- Burned - Burnt
- Learned - Learnt
10. Words ending in -ense vs. -ence
American English vs. British English:
- Defense - Defence
- License - Licence
- Offense - Offence
- Pretense - Pretence
11. Words ending in a vowel plus -l
American English vs. British English:
- Counseling - Counselling
- Equaling - Equalling
- Fueled - Fuelled
- Fueling - Fuelling
- Modeling - Modelling
- Quarreling - Quarrelling
- Signaling - Signalling
- Traveled - Travelled
- Traveler - Traveller
- Traveling - Travelling
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