🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiabonnet

  🇺🇸 United Stateshood

  Words metal cover over a car engine

  🇦🇺 Open the bonnet so I can check the oil.

  🇺🇸 Open the hood so I can check the oil.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiaboot

  🇺🇸 United Statestrunk

  Words storage space at the back of a car

  🇦🇺 Put the shopping bags in the boot.

  🇺🇸 Put the shopping bags in the trunk.

  ≈ Not an exact match ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiacar park

  🇺🇸 United Statesparking lot

  Words area where cars are parked

  🇦🇺 The shopping centre car park is full on Saturday mornings.

  🇺🇸 The mall parking lot is full on Saturday mornings.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiadriver's licence

  🇺🇸 United Statesdriver's license

  Words card that lets you drive

  🇦🇺 Can I see your driver's licence, please?

  🇺🇸 Can I see your driver's license, please?

  n/v Noun ≠ verb ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiafootpath

  🇺🇸 United Statessidewalk

  Words paved path for walking beside a road

  🇦🇺 Please ride your scooter on the footpath, not on the road.

  🇺🇸 Please ride your scooter on the sidewalk, not on the road.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiagive way

  🇺🇸 United Statesyield

  Words let other traffic go first

  🇦🇺 You must give way to cars already on the roundabout.

  🇺🇸 You must yield to cars already in the traffic circle.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiahire car

  🇺🇸 United Statesrental car

  Words car you pay to use for a short time

  🇦🇺 We picked up a hire car at the airport.

  🇺🇸 We picked up a rental car at the airport.

  ⇄ Both used in Australia ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaindicator

  🇺🇸 United Statesturn signal

  Words flashing light that shows a car is turning

  🇦🇺 You forgot to use your indicator at the roundabout.

  🇺🇸 You forgot to use your turn signal at the traffic circle.

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• 🇦🇺 Australianumber plate

  🇺🇸 United Stateslicense plate

  Words sign with a car's registration number

  🇦🇺 The camera recorded the car's number plate.

  🇺🇸 The camera recorded the car's license plate.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiapetrol

  🇺🇸 United Statesgas

  Words fuel for cars

  🇦🇺 Petrol is cheaper on Tuesdays in some suburbs.

  🇺🇸 Gas is cheaper on Tuesdays in some neighborhoods.

  ≈ Not an exact match ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiapetrol station

  🇺🇸 United Statesgas station

  Words place that sells fuel for cars

  🇦🇺 Let's stop at the next petrol station before the highway.

  🇺🇸 Let's stop at the next gas station before the highway.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiarailway station

  🇺🇸 United Statestrain station

  Words place where trains stop

  🇦🇺 Meet me outside the railway station at nine.

  🇺🇸 Meet me outside the train station at nine.

  ⇄ Both used in Australia ☆ Save to my words

🎯 Quick quiz

10 questions from the words in this list. Pick the matching word from the other country.

What the labels mean

💬 Informal

A casual Australian word — fine with friends and at work, but use the neutral word in formal writing.

≈ Not an exact match

The two words overlap, but they don't cover exactly the same things, sizes or systems.

⇄ Both used in Australia

Australians also use the American word; the Australian word is simply more common or more traditional.

⚠️ False friend

The same word means something different in the other country — be careful (e.g. thongs, rubber, jumper).

🗺️ Varies by state

Australians in different states may prefer different words.

s/z -ise / -ize

Australian style prefers -ise (organise); -ize is sometimes seen but is the American standard.

n/v Noun ≠ verb

Australian English spells the noun and the verb differently (a licence / to license, a practice / to practise). American English uses one spelling for both.

Example sentences are written by AUSLEX. Spelling follows the Australian Government Style Manual. Both countries understand both words — these are everyday preferences, not strict rules.