American spelling is a variant of English spelling that is used primarily in the United States. It differs from other forms of English spelling, particularly British English, in a number of ways. For example, American spelling often drops the letter “u” from words like “colour” and “honour” that are spelled with a “u” in British English. It also tends to use “z” instead of “s” in words like “realize” and “organize”.
Some words end in our in Britain but in or in America: color, labor, neighbor. Some words end in tre in Britain but in ter in America: center, liter.
Some verbs can end either with ize or with ise in Britain but only with ize in America: apologize, organize, realize. In Britain there is doubling of l in an unstressed syllable. In some American words there is no doubling: marvelous, signaled, councilor.
Despite these differences, American spelling is still widely recognized and used around the world, particularly in academic and business contexts.
Here are some words with different spellings.
S.No. | GB | US |
---|---|---|
1 | analyse | analyze |
2 | apologize/apologise | apologize |
3 | axe | axe/ax |
4 | behaviour | behavior |
5 | catalogue | catalog/catalogue |
6 | centre | center |
7 | cheque (money) | check |
8 | colour | color |
9 | councillor | councilor |
10 | counsellor | counselor |
11 | defence | defense/defence |
12 | dialogue | dialog/dialogue |
13 | favour | favor |
14 | grey | gray/grey |
15 | honour | honor |
16 | humour | humor |
17 | jail/gaol | jail |
18 | jeweller | jeweler |
19 | kerb (edge of pavement) | curb |
20 | labelled | labeled |
21 | labour | labor |
22 | litre | liter |
23 | metre (= 100 cm) | meter |
24 | marvellous | marvelous |
25 | neighbour | neighbor |
26 | organize/organise | organize |
27 | practise (verb), practice (noun) | practice (verb and noun) |
28 | pyjamas | pajamas |
29 | plough | plow |
30 | realize/realise | realize |
31 | signalled | signaled |
32 | theatre | theater |
33 | through | through, thru (informal) |
34 | skilful | skillful |
35 | travelling | traveling |
36 | tyre (on a wheel) | tire |
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