🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiaundies

  🇺🇸 United Statesunderwear

  Words underpants (casual word)

  🇦🇺 Don't forget to pack enough undies for the trip.

  🇺🇸 Don't forget to pack enough underwear for the trip.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiawheelie bin

  🇺🇸 United Statesroll-out trash can

  Words large rubbish bin on wheels collected by the council

  🇦🇺 Put the wheelie bins out on Monday night.

  🇺🇸 Put the trash cans out at the curb on Monday night.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesbeet

  Words dark red root vegetable

  🇦🇺 A slice of beetroot on a burger is very Australian.

  🇺🇸 A slice of beet on a burger is unusual in the US.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiabikkie

  🇺🇸 United Statescookie

  Words sweet biscuit (casual word)

  🇦🇺 Would you like a bikkie with your tea?

  🇺🇸 Would you like a cookie with your coffee?

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiabiscuit

  🇺🇸 United Statescookie

  Words small, flat, crisp baked sweet

  🇦🇺 These chocolate biscuits are my favourite.

  🇺🇸 These chocolate cookies are my favorite.

  ⚠️ False friend ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiabrekkie

  🇺🇸 United Statesbreakfast

  Words breakfast (casual word)

  🇦🇺 Let's grab brekkie at the café before work.

  🇺🇸 Let's grab breakfast at the café before work.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiacapsicum

  🇺🇸 United Statesbell pepper

  Words large mild pepper (red, green or yellow)

  🇦🇺 Slice a red capsicum for the salad.

  🇺🇸 Slice a red bell pepper for the salad.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiacoriander

  🇺🇸 United Statescilantro

  Words fresh leaves of the coriander plant

  🇦🇺 Add fresh coriander just before serving.

  🇺🇸 Add fresh cilantro just before serving.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statescup of tea / coffee

  Words a cup of tea (or coffee), casual

  🇦🇺 Come in and have a cuppa.

  🇺🇸 Come in and have a cup of coffee.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaesky

  🇺🇸 United Statescooler

  Words insulated box that keeps drinks cold

  🇦🇺 Fill the esky with ice before we go to the beach.

  🇺🇸 Fill the cooler with ice before we go to the beach.

  💬 Informal ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiafairy floss

  🇺🇸 United Statescotton candy

  Words spun sugar sweet sold at fairs

  🇦🇺 The kids bought fairy floss at the show.

  🇺🇸 The kids bought cotton candy at the fair.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiahundreds and thousands

  🇺🇸 United Statessprinkles

  Words tiny coloured sugar decorations

  🇦🇺 Fairy bread is buttered bread with hundreds and thousands.

  🇺🇸 Sprinkles make any cupcake look festive.

  ☆ 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.