🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiaaeroplane

  🇺🇸 United Statesairplane

  Spelling aircraft

  🇦🇺 The kids waved at the aeroplane.

  🇺🇸 The kids waved at the airplane.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesaging

  Spelling growing older

  🇦🇺 Australia has an ageing population.

  🇺🇸 Australia has an aging population.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaaluminium

  🇺🇸 United Statesaluminum

  Spelling light silver-coloured metal

  🇦🇺 Recycle the aluminium cans in the yellow bin.

  🇺🇸 Recycle the aluminum cans in the recycling bin.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaanaesthetic

  🇺🇸 United Statesanesthetic

  Spelling drug that stops you feeling pain

  🇦🇺 The dentist gave me a local anaesthetic.

  🇺🇸 The dentist gave me a local anesthetic.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaanalyse

  🇺🇸 United Statesanalyze

  Spelling examine in detail

  🇦🇺 We need to analyse the survey results.

  🇺🇸 We need to analyze the survey results.

  s/z -ise / -ize ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaartefact

  🇺🇸 United Statesartifact

  Spelling object made by people long ago

  🇦🇺 The museum displays Aboriginal artefacts.

  🇺🇸 The museum displays Aboriginal artifacts.

  ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiabehaviour

  🇺🇸 United Statesbehavior

  Spelling the way someone acts

  🇦🇺 The teacher praised the class for their good behaviour.

  🇺🇸 The teacher praised the class for their good behavior.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiacancelled

  🇺🇸 United Statescanceled

  Spelling stopped; will not happen

  🇦🇺 Our flight was cancelled because of the storm.

  🇺🇸 Our flight was canceled because of the storm.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiacancelling

  🇺🇸 United Statescanceling

  Spelling stopping something planned

  🇦🇺 They are cancelling the concert because of rain.

  🇺🇸 They are canceling the concert because of rain.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiacatalogue

  🇺🇸 United Statescatalog

  Spelling list of items for sale or in a collection

  🇦🇺 The new furniture catalogue arrived today.

  🇺🇸 The new furniture catalog arrived today.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiacentre

  🇺🇸 United Statescenter

  Spelling middle point; a building for an activity

  🇦🇺 Meet me at the shopping centre.

  🇺🇸 Meet me at the shopping center.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiacheque

  🇺🇸 United Statescheck

  Spelling written order to a bank to pay money

  🇦🇺 Do you still accept payment by cheque?

  🇺🇸 Do you still accept payment by check?

  ⚠️ False friend ☆ 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.