🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiachange room

  🇺🇸 United Statesfitting room

  Words room in a shop for trying on clothes

  🇦🇺 You can try on up to six items in the change room.

  🇺🇸 You can try on up to six items in the fitting room.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statespharmacy / drugstore

  Words shop that sells medicine

  🇦🇺 I need to pick up my prescription from the chemist.

  🇺🇸 I need to pick up my prescription from the pharmacy.

  ⇄ Both used in Australia ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaclick and collect

  🇺🇸 United Statesbuy online, pick up in store

  Words ordering online and collecting at the shop

  🇦🇺 I used click and collect, so the order is ready at the front counter.

  🇺🇸 I ordered for in-store pickup, so the order is ready at the front counter.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australialay-by

  🇺🇸 United Stateslayaway

  Words paying for an item in parts before taking it home

  🇦🇺 I put the bike on lay-by until Christmas.

  🇺🇸 I put the bike on layaway until Christmas.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiamobile phone

  🇺🇸 United Statescell phone

  Words portable phone

  🇦🇺 Please switch your mobile phone to silent.

  🇺🇸 Please switch your cell phone to silent.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaop shop

  🇺🇸 United Statesthrift store

  Words charity shop selling second-hand goods

  🇦🇺 I found this jacket at the op shop for eight dollars.

  🇺🇸 I found this jacket at the thrift store for eight dollars.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiarubbish bin

  🇺🇸 United Statestrash can

  Words container for waste

  🇦🇺 Put the wrapper in the rubbish bin, please.

  🇺🇸 Put the wrapper in the trash can, please.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiashopping trolley

  🇺🇸 United Statesshopping cart

  Words wheeled basket used in a supermarket

  🇦🇺 Please return your shopping trolley to the bay.

  🇺🇸 Please return your shopping cart to the corral.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiasinglet

  🇺🇸 United Statestank top

  Words sleeveless top

  🇦🇺 It's hot, so I'm wearing a singlet today.

  🇺🇸 It's hot, so I'm wearing a tank top today.

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

  🇺🇸 United StatesScotch tape

  Words clear tape for sticking paper

  🇦🇺 Can I borrow some sticky tape to wrap this present?

  🇺🇸 Can I borrow some Scotch tape to wrap this present?

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiatip

  🇺🇸 United Statesdump

  Words place where rubbish is taken and disposed of

  🇦🇺 We took the old mattress to the tip.

  🇺🇸 We took the old mattress to the dump.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesflashlight

  Words small electric light you carry

  🇦🇺 Keep a torch in the car for emergencies.

  🇺🇸 Keep a flashlight in the car for emergencies.

  ⚠️ 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.