🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiasparky

  🇺🇸 United Stateselectrician

  Words electrician (casual word)

  🇦🇺 The sparky is coming to install the new lights.

  🇺🇸 The electrician is coming to install the new lights.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiatradie

  🇺🇸 United Statestradesperson / contractor

  Words skilled manual worker such as a plumber (casual)

  🇦🇺 We need a tradie to fix the leaking roof.

  🇺🇸 We need a contractor to fix the leaking roof.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaarvo

  🇺🇸 United Statesafternoon

  Words afternoon (casual word)

  🇦🇺 See you this arvo!

  🇺🇸 See you this afternoon!

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiabarbie

  🇺🇸 United Statesbarbecue / cookout

  Words barbecue (casual word)

  🇦🇺 Come over for a barbie on Sunday.

  🇺🇸 Come over for a cookout on Sunday.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiabathers

  🇺🇸 United Statesswimsuit

  Words clothing for swimming (Victoria, SA, WA)

  🇦🇺 My bathers are still wet from this morning.

  🇺🇸 My swimsuit is still wet from this morning.

  🗺️ Varies by state ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaboardies

  🇺🇸 United Statesboard shorts

  Words long shorts for surfing and swimming

  🇦🇺 He wore his boardies and a T-shirt to the barbie.

  🇺🇸 He wore his board shorts and a T-shirt to the cookout.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiabrolly

  🇺🇸 United Statesumbrella

  Words umbrella (casual word)

  🇦🇺 Take a brolly, it looks like rain.

  🇺🇸 Take an umbrella, it looks like rain.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiacinema

  🇺🇸 United Statesmovie theater

  Words place where films are shown

  🇦🇺 Let's meet at the cinema at seven.

  🇺🇸 Let's meet at the movie theater at seven.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiagumboots

  🇺🇸 United Statesrain boots

  Words waterproof rubber boots

  🇦🇺 Put your gumboots on, the paddock is muddy.

  🇺🇸 Put your rain boots on, the field is muddy.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaholiday

  🇺🇸 United Statesvacation

  Words time away from work or school for rest or travel

  🇦🇺 We're going to Bali for our holiday.

  🇺🇸 We're going to Hawaii for our vacation.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statessweater

  Words knitted warm top

  🇦🇺 Bring a jumper, it gets cold at night.

  🇺🇸 Bring a sweater, it gets cold at night.

  ⚠️ False friend ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiarunners

  🇺🇸 United Statessneakers

  Words sports shoes

  🇦🇺 Wear your runners for the school sports day.

  🇺🇸 Wear your sneakers for field day.

  🗺️ Varies by state ☆ 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.