🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiadirect debit

  🇺🇸 United Statesautomatic payment / autopay

  Words regular payment taken straight from your bank account

  🇦🇺 The rent comes out by direct debit every Monday.

  🇺🇸 The rent comes out by autopay every Monday.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 AustraliaEFTPOS

  🇺🇸 United Statescard reader / card terminal

  Words machine for paying by card in shops

  🇦🇺 Is the EFTPOS machine working today?

  🇺🇸 Is the card reader working today?

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaheaps

  🇺🇸 United Statesa lot / lots

  Words a large amount (casual)

  🇦🇺 Thanks heaps for your help!

  🇺🇸 Thanks a lot for your help!

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiamate

  🇺🇸 United Statesbuddy / friend

  Words friend; also a friendly way to address someone

  🇦🇺 Thanks, mate, I owe you one.

  🇺🇸 Thanks, buddy, I owe you one.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesmosquito

  Words mosquito (casual word)

  🇦🇺 Put on some repellent, the mozzies are bad tonight.

  🇺🇸 Put on some repellent, the mosquitoes are bad tonight.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiano worries

  🇺🇸 United Statesno problem

  Words reply to thanks; it's okay

  🇦🇺 "Thanks for the lift." "No worries!"

  🇺🇸 "Thanks for the ride." "No problem!"

  ⇄ Both used in Australia ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiasook

  🇺🇸 United Statescrybaby

  Words person who complains or gets upset easily (casual)

  🇦🇺 Don't be a sook, it's only a little scratch.

  🇺🇸 Don't be a crybaby, it's only a little scratch.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 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

🎯 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.