🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiacanteen

  🇺🇸 United Statescafeteria

  Words place at school where food is sold

  🇦🇺 You can order lunch from the school canteen.

  🇺🇸 You can buy lunch in the school cafeteria.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesgrades

  Words scores given for school work

  🇦🇺 Her marks improved a lot this semester.

  🇺🇸 Her grades improved a lot this semester.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesmath

  Words the school subject of numbers

  🇦🇺 We have a maths test on Friday.

  🇺🇸 We have a math test on Friday.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaprimary school

  🇺🇸 United Stateselementary school

  Words school for children aged about 5 to 12

  🇦🇺 My son started primary school this year.

  🇺🇸 My son started elementary school this year.

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

  🇺🇸 United Stateseraser

  Words small object for removing pencil marks

  🇦🇺 Can I borrow your rubber?

  🇺🇸 Can I borrow your eraser?

  ⚠️ False friend ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaschool holidays

  🇺🇸 United Statesschool break / vacation

  Words time when schools are closed

  🇦🇺 The beach gets busy during the school holidays.

  🇺🇸 The beach gets busy during school vacation.

  ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiatexta

  🇺🇸 United Statesmarker

  Words felt-tip pen

  🇦🇺 Write your name on the box with a texta.

  🇺🇸 Write your name on the box with a marker.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiauni

  🇺🇸 United Statescollege / university

  Words university (casual word)

  🇦🇺 She's in her second year at uni.

  🇺🇸 She's in her second year of college.

  ≈ Not an exact match ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiawhiteboard marker

  🇺🇸 United Statesdry-erase marker

  Words pen for writing on a whiteboard

  🇦🇺 This whiteboard marker has run out.

  🇺🇸 This dry-erase marker has run out.

  ☆ 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.