🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiasunnies

  🇺🇸 United Statessunglasses

  Words sunglasses (casual word)

  🇦🇺 Have you seen my sunnies?

  🇺🇸 Have you seen my sunglasses?

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaswimmers

  🇺🇸 United Statesswimsuit

  Words clothing for swimming

  🇦🇺 Pack your swimmers, we're going to the pool.

  🇺🇸 Pack your swimsuit, we're going to the pool.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesflip-flops

  Words open rubber sandals

  🇦🇺 Don't forget your thongs for the beach.

  🇺🇸 Don't forget your flip-flops for the beach.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statessweatpants

  Words soft, loose trousers for relaxing or sport

  🇦🇺 I spent Sunday on the couch in my trackies.

  🇺🇸 I spent Sunday on the couch in my sweatpants.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiabushwalk

  🇺🇸 United Stateshike

  Words walk in the countryside or forest

  🇦🇺 We did a three-hour bushwalk in the Blue Mountains.

  🇺🇸 We did a three-hour hike in the Rocky Mountains.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiacaravan

  🇺🇸 United Statestravel trailer

  Words home on wheels towed by a car

  🇦🇺 They towed the caravan up the coast.

  🇺🇸 They towed the travel trailer up the coast.

  ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiacaravan park

  🇺🇸 United StatesRV park / campground

  Words place to stay in a caravan, tent or cabin

  🇦🇺 We stayed in a cabin at the caravan park.

  🇺🇸 We stayed in a cabin at the campground.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesbaggage cart

  Words wheeled cart for suitcases

  🇦🇺 Grab a luggage trolley near the exit.

  🇺🇸 Grab a baggage cart near the exit.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiamobile reception

  🇺🇸 United Statescell service / signal

  Words ability of a phone to connect to the network

  🇦🇺 There's no mobile reception in the national park.

  🇺🇸 There's no cell service in the national park.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaqueue

  🇺🇸 United Statesline

  Words row of people waiting

  🇦🇺 The queue for the ticket office is really long.

  🇺🇸 The line for the ticket office is really long.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesfront desk

  Words place where visitors check in

  🇦🇺 Leave your key at reception when you check out.

  🇺🇸 Leave your key at the front desk when you check out.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesround-trip ticket

  Words ticket to go somewhere and come back

  🇦🇺 A return ticket to Melbourne is cheaper online.

  🇺🇸 A round-trip ticket to Chicago is cheaper online.

  ⚠️ 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.