🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiaartefact

  🇺🇸 United Statesartifact

  Spelling object made by people long ago

  🇦🇺 The museum displays Aboriginal artefacts.

  🇺🇸 The museum displays Aboriginal artifacts.

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• 🇦🇺 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.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiacancelled

  🇺🇸 United Statescanceled

  Spelling stopped; will not happen

  🇦🇺 Our flight was cancelled because of the storm.

  🇺🇸 Our flight was canceled because of the storm.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiacancelling

  🇺🇸 United Statescanceling

  Spelling stopping something planned

  🇦🇺 They are cancelling the concert because of rain.

  🇺🇸 They are canceling the concert because of rain.

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• 🇦🇺 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.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiacentre

  🇺🇸 United Statescenter

  Spelling middle point; a building for an activity

  🇦🇺 Meet me at the shopping centre.

  🇺🇸 Meet me at the shopping center.

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• 🇦🇺 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
• 🇦🇺 Australiacolour

  🇺🇸 United Statescolor

  Spelling what something looks like: red, blue, etc.

  🇦🇺 What colour is your new car?

  🇺🇸 What color is your new car?

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• 🇦🇺 Australiacounsellor

  🇺🇸 United Statescounselor

  Spelling person trained to give advice on problems

  🇦🇺 The school counsellor is available every Tuesday.

  🇺🇸 The school counselor is available every Tuesday.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiadefence

  🇺🇸 United Statesdefense

  Spelling protection against attack

  🇦🇺 He studied law and now works in criminal defence.

  🇺🇸 He studied law and now works in criminal defense.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiadiarrhoea

  🇺🇸 United Statesdiarrhea

  Spelling loose, watery bowel movements

  🇦🇺 See a doctor if the diarrhoea lasts more than two days.

  🇺🇸 See a doctor if the diarrhea lasts more than two days.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiaencyclopaedia

  🇺🇸 United Statesencyclopedia

  Spelling book or website of facts on many subjects

  🇦🇺 The library has an old encyclopaedia set.

  🇺🇸 The library has an old encyclopedia set.

  ⇄ Both used in Australia ☆ 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.