🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiatoilet

  🇺🇸 United Statesrestroom / bathroom

  Words room with a toilet, especially in a public place

  🇦🇺 Excuse me, where's the toilet?

  🇺🇸 Excuse me, where's the restroom?

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesantenna

  Words device that receives TV or radio signals

  🇦🇺 The TV aerial blew off the roof in the storm.

  🇺🇸 The TV antenna blew off the roof in the storm.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaextension lead

  🇺🇸 United Statesextension cord

  Words long cable with a socket at the end

  🇦🇺 We need an extension lead for the outdoor lights.

  🇺🇸 We need an extension cord for the outdoor lights.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiafull stop

  🇺🇸 United Statesperiod

  Words the dot (.) at the end of a sentence

  🇦🇺 Every sentence needs a full stop at the end.

  🇺🇸 Every sentence needs a period at the end.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiamobile data

  🇺🇸 United Statescellular data

  Words internet access through a phone network

  🇦🇺 Turn off mobile data to save money overseas.

  🇺🇸 Turn off cellular data to save money overseas.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiapostcode

  🇺🇸 United StatesZIP code

  Words number code for a postal area

  🇦🇺 Write your postcode on the form.

  🇺🇸 Write your ZIP code on the form.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiapower board

  🇺🇸 United Statespower strip

  Words board with several sockets

  🇦🇺 Don't overload the power board.

  🇺🇸 Don't overload the power strip.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiaparcel

  🇺🇸 United Statespackage

  Words wrapped item sent by post

  🇦🇺 Your parcel has been left at the post office.

  🇺🇸 Your package has been left at the post office.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesmailbox

  Words public box for posting letters

  🇦🇺 Drop the letter in the red postbox outside the post office.

  🇺🇸 Drop the letter in the blue mailbox outside the post office.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesmail carrier

  Words person who delivers mail (casual)

  🇦🇺 The postie comes on a motorbike around eleven.

  🇺🇸 The mail carrier comes around eleven.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaregistered post

  🇺🇸 United Statescertified mail

  Words mail with proof of delivery

  🇦🇺 Send the contract by registered post.

  🇺🇸 Send the contract by certified mail.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statescashier's check

  Words cheque guaranteed by the bank

  🇦🇺 The bond can be paid by bank cheque.

  🇺🇸 The deposit can be paid by cashier's check.

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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.