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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