🇦🇺 Australian English dictionary 🇺🇸

• 🇦🇺 Australiaemergency department (ED)

  🇺🇸 United Statesemergency room (ER)

  Words hospital section for urgent care

  🇦🇺 He was taken straight to the emergency department.

  🇺🇸 He was taken straight to the emergency room.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesdoctor's office

  Words place to see a general practitioner

  🇦🇺 I've booked an appointment at the GP clinic for Monday.

  🇺🇸 I've booked an appointment at the doctor's office for Monday.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesdoctor's note

  Words note from a doctor saying you were sick

  🇦🇺 My boss asked for a medical certificate for my sick day.

  🇺🇸 My boss asked for a doctor's note for my sick day.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australianappy

  🇺🇸 United Statesdiaper

  Words baby's absorbent underwear

  🇦🇺 Can you change the baby's nappy?

  🇺🇸 Can you change the baby's diaper?

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiapram

  🇺🇸 United Statesstroller

  Words wheeled seat or bed for a baby

  🇦🇺 Is there room for a pram on the bus?

  🇺🇸 Is there room for a stroller on the bus?

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

  🇺🇸 United Statescafeteria

  Words place at school where food is sold

  🇦🇺 You can order lunch from the school canteen.

  🇺🇸 You can buy lunch in the school cafeteria.

  ≈ Not an exact match ☆ Save to my words

• 🇦🇺 Australiamarks

  🇺🇸 United Statesgrades

  Words scores given for school work

  🇦🇺 Her marks improved a lot this semester.

  🇺🇸 Her grades improved a lot this semester.

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

  🇺🇸 United Statesmath

  Words the school subject of numbers

  🇦🇺 We have a maths test on Friday.

  🇺🇸 We have a math test on Friday.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaprimary school

  🇺🇸 United Stateselementary school

  Words school for children aged about 5 to 12

  🇦🇺 My son started primary school this year.

  🇺🇸 My son started elementary school this year.

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

  🇺🇸 United Stateseraser

  Words small object for removing pencil marks

  🇦🇺 Can I borrow your rubber?

  🇺🇸 Can I borrow your eraser?

  ⚠️ False friend ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiaschool holidays

  🇺🇸 United Statesschool break / vacation

  Words time when schools are closed

  🇦🇺 The beach gets busy during the school holidays.

  🇺🇸 The beach gets busy during school vacation.

  ☆ Save to my words
• 🇦🇺 Australiatexta

  🇺🇸 United Statesmarker

  Words felt-tip pen

  🇦🇺 Write your name on the box with a texta.

  🇺🇸 Write your name on the box with a marker.

  💬 Informal ☆ 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.