π¦πΊ Australian English dictionary πΊπΈ
204 words with plain-English meanings, examples and translations.
AU vs US words
204 entries-
π¦πΊ AustraliauniπΊπΈ United Statescollege / university
Words university (casual word)
She's in her second year at uni.
She's in her second year of college.
β Not an exact match -
π¦πΊ Australiawhiteboard markerπΊπΈ United Statesdry-erase marker
Words pen for writing on a whiteboard
This whiteboard marker has run out.
This dry-erase marker has run out.
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π¦πΊ Australiaannual leaveπΊπΈ United Statesvacation time / PTO
Words paid time off work each year
I'm taking two weeks of annual leave in January.
I'm taking two weeks of vacation time in January.
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π¦πΊ AustraliachippyπΊπΈ United Statescarpenter
Words carpenter (casual word)
The chippy built new shelves in the garage.
The carpenter built new shelves in the garage.
π¬ Informal -
π¦πΊ AustraliafortnightπΊπΈ United Statestwo weeks
Words a period of two weeks
We get paid every fortnight.
We get paid every two weeks.
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π¦πΊ Australiahi-vis vestπΊπΈ United Statessafety vest
Words bright reflective vest for workers
You must wear a hi-vis vest on the building site.
You must wear a safety vest on the construction site.
π¬ Informal
-
π¦πΊ AustralianoticeboardπΊπΈ United Statesbulletin board
Words board for putting up notices
The meeting details are on the noticeboard.
The meeting details are on the bulletin board.
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π¦πΊ AustraliapayslipπΊπΈ United Statespay stub
Words document showing your pay and tax
Check your payslip to see how much super was paid.
Check your pay stub to see how much was withheld.
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π¦πΊ AustraliaredundancyπΊπΈ United Stateslayoff
Words losing your job because the role is no longer needed
Forty staff were offered redundancy when the factory closed.
Forty workers were laid off when the factory closed.
β Not an exact match -
π¦πΊ AustraliarosterπΊπΈ United Stateswork schedule
Words plan showing who works which shifts
The new roster is up on the staff noticeboard.
The new schedule is up on the staff bulletin board.
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π¦πΊ AustraliarΓ©sumΓ© / CVπΊπΈ United StatesrΓ©sumΓ©
Words document listing your work history
Send your CV with a short cover letter.
Send your rΓ©sumΓ© with a short cover letter.
β Both used in Australia -
π¦πΊ Australiasick leaveπΊπΈ United Statessick days
Words paid time off when you are ill
She's on sick leave until Thursday.
She's using sick days until Thursday.
β Both used in Australia
π― Quick quiz
10 questions from the words in this list. Pick the matching word from the other country.
What the labels mean
- π¬ Informal
- A casual Australian word β fine with friends and at work, but use the neutral word in formal writing.
- β Not an exact match
- The two words overlap, but they don't cover exactly the same things, sizes or systems.
- β Both used in Australia
- Australians also use the American word; the Australian word is simply more common or more traditional.
- β οΈ False friend
- The same word means something different in the other country β be careful (e.g. thongs, rubber, jumper).
- πΊοΈ 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 β 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 β these are everyday preferences, not strict rules.