🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiaorthopaedic

  🇺🇸 United Statesorthopedic

  Spelling relating to bones and joints

  🇦🇺 He saw an orthopaedic surgeon about his knee.

  🇺🇸 He saw an orthopedic surgeon about his knee.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiapaediatric

  🇺🇸 United Statespediatric

  Spelling relating to children's medicine

  🇦🇺 She works in the paediatric ward.

  🇺🇸 She works in the pediatric ward.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiaparalyse

  🇺🇸 United Statesparalyze

  Spelling make unable to move

  🇦🇺 The storm paralysed the city's train network.

  🇺🇸 The storm paralyzed the city's train network.

  s/z -ise / -ize ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaplough

  🇺🇸 United Statesplow

  Spelling farm tool for turning soil

  🇦🇺 The farmer is ploughing the paddock before planting.

  🇺🇸 The farmer is plowing the field before planting.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiapractise

  🇺🇸 United Statespractice

  Spelling do something repeatedly to improve (verb)

  🇦🇺 I practise the piano every evening.

  🇺🇸 I practice the piano every evening.

  n/v Noun ≠ verb ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiapretence

  🇺🇸 United Statespretense

  Spelling act of pretending

  🇦🇺 He made a pretence of being busy.

  🇺🇸 He made a pretense of being busy.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiarealise

  🇺🇸 United Statesrealize

  Spelling suddenly understand

  🇦🇺 I didn't realise the shop closes early on Sundays.

  🇺🇸 I didn't realize the shop closes early on Sundays.

  s/z -ise / -ize ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaskilful

  🇺🇸 United Statesskillful

  Spelling having or showing skill

  🇦🇺 She is a skilful driver.

  🇺🇸 She is a skillful driver.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiatheatre

  🇺🇸 United Statestheater

  Spelling building for plays and performances

  🇦🇺 We saw a musical at the theatre on Friday.

  🇺🇸 We saw a musical at the theater on Friday.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiatraveller

  🇺🇸 United Statestraveler

  Spelling person who is travelling

  🇦🇺 The hostel is popular with young travellers.

  🇺🇸 The hostel is popular with young travelers.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiatravelling

  🇺🇸 United Statestraveling

  Spelling going from place to place

  🇦🇺 She is travelling around Australia for a year.

  🇺🇸 She is traveling around Australia for a year.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiatyre

  🇺🇸 United Statestire

  Spelling rubber ring around a wheel

  🇦🇺 I've got a flat tyre.

  🇺🇸 I've got a flat tire.

  ⚠️ 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.