🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiabond

  🇺🇸 United Statessecurity deposit

  Words money paid at the start of a lease and returned at the end

  🇦🇺 You get your bond back if the house is left clean.

  🇺🇸 You get your security deposit back if the house is left clean.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiabuilt-in wardrobe

  🇺🇸 United Statesbuilt-in closet

  Words cupboard for clothes built into a wall

  🇦🇺 Each bedroom has a built-in wardrobe.

  🇺🇸 Each bedroom has a built-in closet.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiacling wrap

  🇺🇸 United Statesplastic wrap

  Words thin clear plastic for covering food

  🇦🇺 Cover the leftovers with cling wrap.

  🇺🇸 Cover the leftovers with plastic wrap.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiadishwashing liquid

  🇺🇸 United Statesdish soap

  Words liquid soap for washing dishes

  🇦🇺 We need more dishwashing liquid.

  🇺🇸 We need more dish soap.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiadoona

  🇺🇸 United Statescomforter / duvet

  Words thick, soft bed cover

  🇦🇺 It's cold tonight, so I'll use the winter doona.

  🇺🇸 It's cold tonight, so I'll use the winter comforter.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaflat

  🇺🇸 United Statesapartment

  Words home on one floor of a larger building

  🇦🇺 She shares a two-bedroom flat with a friend.

  🇺🇸 She shares a two-bedroom apartment with a friend.

  ⇄ Both used in Australia ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiaflyscreen

  🇺🇸 United Stateswindow screen

  Words mesh that keeps insects out

  🇦🇺 Close the flyscreen or the mozzies will get in.

  🇺🇸 Close the screen door or the mosquitoes will get in.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiaflywire

  🇺🇸 United Stateswindow screen

  Words insect mesh on windows or doors

  🇦🇺 The flywire on the back door has a hole in it.

  🇺🇸 The screen on the back door has a hole in it.

  🗺️ Varies by state ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiahot water system

  🇺🇸 United Stateswater heater

  Words appliance that heats water for a home

  🇦🇺 The hot water system needs to be replaced.

  🇺🇸 The water heater needs to be replaced.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiakitchen bench

  🇺🇸 United Stateskitchen counter

  Words flat work surface in a kitchen

  🇦🇺 Leave the keys on the kitchen bench.

  🇺🇸 Leave the keys on the kitchen counter.

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• 🇦🇺 Australialaundry

  🇺🇸 United Stateslaundry room

  Words room for washing clothes

  🇦🇺 The washing machine is in the laundry.

  🇺🇸 The washing machine is in the laundry room.

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• 🇦🇺 Australialetterbox

  🇺🇸 United Statesmailbox

  Words box at a home where mail is delivered

  🇦🇺 There's a parcel card in the letterbox.

  🇺🇸 There's a package slip in the mailbox.

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🎯 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.