🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australialetterbox

  🇺🇸 United Statesmailbox

  Words box at a home where mail is delivered

  🇦🇺 There's a parcel card in the letterbox.

  🇺🇸 There's a package slip in the mailbox.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australialift

  🇺🇸 United Stateselevator

  Words machine that carries people between floors

  🇦🇺 Take the lift to the fourth floor.

  🇺🇸 Take the elevator to the fourth floor.

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• 🇦🇺 Australianature strip

  🇺🇸 United Statesparkway / tree lawn

  Words grass strip between the footpath and the road

  🇦🇺 Please don't park on the nature strip.

  🇺🇸 Please don't park on the parkway.

  🗺️ Varies by state ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaopen for inspection

  🇺🇸 United Statesopen house

  Words time when people can look through a property for rent or sale

  🇦🇺 The flat is open for inspection on Saturday at 11.

  🇺🇸 The apartment has an open house on Saturday at 11.

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

  🇺🇸 United Stateselectrical outlet

  Words socket in the wall for plugs

  🇦🇺 Is there a power point near the desk?

  🇺🇸 Is there an outlet near the desk?

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• 🇦🇺 Australiareal estate agent

  🇺🇸 United Statesreal estate agent / realtor

  Words person who sells or rents out property

  🇦🇺 Call the real estate agent about the leaking tap.

  🇺🇸 Call the realtor about the leaking faucet.

  ≈ Not an exact match ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiarubbish

  🇺🇸 United Statestrash / garbage

  Words things thrown away

  🇦🇺 Can you take the rubbish out tonight?

  🇺🇸 Can you take the trash out tonight?

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• 🇦🇺 Australiatap

  🇺🇸 United Statesfaucet

  Words device that controls water from a pipe

  🇦🇺 The kitchen tap is dripping again.

  🇺🇸 The kitchen faucet is dripping again.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesdish towel

  Words cloth for drying dishes

  🇦🇺 Dry the glasses with a clean tea towel.

  🇺🇸 Dry the glasses with a clean dish towel.

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• 🇦🇺 Australiaunit

  🇺🇸 United Statesapartment / condo

  Words self-contained home in a block

  🇦🇺 We're renting a unit close to the station.

  🇺🇸 We're renting an apartment close to the station.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesporch

  Words roofed area along the outside of a house

  🇦🇺 We had dinner on the verandah.

  🇺🇸 We had dinner on the porch.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statespacifier

  Words rubber teat for a baby to suck

  🇦🇺 The baby won't sleep without her dummy.

  🇺🇸 The baby won't sleep without her pacifier.

  ⚠️ 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.