Wordle Unlimited UK
âś” We instinctively understand that the English spoken by people from Great Britain differs from that spoken by people from the United States: this is primarily a matter of pronunciation but also includes variations in vocabulary, morphology, spelling, and grammar.
âś” This could have been an issue in the original Wordle game, with some UK English words excluded. As a result, the Wordle UK version was created. We've compiled a comprehensive list of UK and US English words.
✔ In the above game, you can use any 5-letter word in English without worrying if it’s US slang or a word unique to UK English.
If you prefer the standard Wordle version, you can return to Wordle Unlimited.
Let’s explore in more detail
Main Differences Between British English and American English
English is now widely regarded as a universal lingua franca, enabling communication with millions of people worldwide. Despite this, the language has evolved considerably, depending on where it’s spoken.
The histories of the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as their global influence, have reshaped the English language: exported worldwide, English has been shaped by local customs and adapted to various cultures.
One challenge for language learners is that there’s no "standard" English. There are at least two major "dialects" to navigate: British and American English.
Despite the many similarities between the UK and the US, and the fact that English speakers from both countries can generally understand each other, significant differences remain: this isn’t just an accent difference but a real linguistic diversity.
Anyone who travels often knows how different it feels to converse with a Londoner versus a New Yorker. British English, with its formal tones and British cadence, seems worlds apart from the more relaxed and slang-heavy accents found in the US. But what are the actual differences?
British English and American English: So Similar Yet So Different
âś” These differences should not seem odd. Just consider the Italian language: comparing the dialects spoken in different regions, we see how a handful of kilometers can radically change the accent and even the grammar of the language. This also applies to vocabulary.
✔ To use English effectively and avoid confusion or embarrassment, it’s helpful to know which words have different pronunciations or meanings, how the usage of certain words differs, and sometimes even how grammar changes.
Differences in Pronunciation: Phonetics
The most obvious difference between American and British English is phonetics—the way words are pronounced. For travelers or those who speak English with people from various parts of the world, pronunciation is the first noticeable difference.
Though there are regional variations within both countries, Americans and Brits use different vowel sounds, and stress can be placed differently on words. The most prominent feature is the American pronunciation of the “r” sound before vowels or consonants. This is known as the "rhotic r"—a consonant pronounced in all positions in 17th-century England, but it has remained prevalent in the US, while the British tend to pronounce it at the start of words more distinctly.
Another notable difference is that Americans do not use the "broad A" sound in words. For example, the “a” in words is pronounced as /æ/ in American English, rather than /ɑ:/ as in British English.
Beyond these curiosities, Americans also tend to shorten or contract many words, making conversation feel more efficient and direct.
Singular vs Plural
In traditional British English, collective nouns (like groups, teams, or committees) are treated as plural, whereas American English tends to treat them as singular.
"Gotten": The Past Participle of "Get"
The use of "gotten" as the past participle of "get" is standard in American English, though it’s rare in British English.
Both countries use "got" for the past tense of “get.” In British English, the past participle is also "got." But in American English, things get more complicated, and either “got” or “gotten” is used depending on whether the situation is static (possession or necessity) or dynamic (acquiring something or becoming something).
For example:
âś” Yesterday, I got a new guitar. (both UK and US)
✔ I’ve got a great guitar. (UK)
✔ I’ve gotten a new guitar. (US)
✔ You’ve got to see my new guitar. (both)
âś” I got into playing guitar last year. (US)
✔ I’d gotten into playing guitar the previous year. (US)
Two Different Dictionaries
The primary distinction between British and American English is undoubtedly the different words used in the two versions of the language.
Consider some well-known compound words that originated in the US, like "teenager" or "non-profit." According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the difference in vocabulary is significant, but these terms are generally still understandable in both dialects.
Some Common Word Differences:
| American English |
British English |
| mad |
angry |
| french fries |
chips |
| wreck |
crash |
| pacifier |
dummy |
| boiler |
grill |
| truck |
lorry |
| corn |
maize |
| math |
maths |
| diaper |
nappy |
| vicious, mean |
nasty |
| line |
queue |
| dessert |
sweet |
| flashlight |
torch |
| hobo |
tramp |
General Word Differences Between UK and US English:
| UK English |
US English |
| angry |
mad |
| autumn |
fall |
| boot (of a car) |
trunk |
| rubbish |
trash |
| trousers |
pants |
| biscuit |
cookie |
| cupboard |
closet |
| nappy |
diaper |
| tap |
faucet |
| lift |
elevator |
| pavement |
sidewalk |
| flat |
apartment |
| chemist’s |
drug store |
| petrol |
gas / gasoline |
Grammar
In British English, the present perfect tense is used more often than in American English.
For example:
âś” US: "Did you do your homework yet?"
âś” UK: "Have you done your homework yet?"
âś” US: "I already ate."
✔ UK: "I’ve already eaten."
For a Brit, the first example is considered incorrect.
In British English, “have got” is often used to express possession or obligation, while this form is much less common in American English.
✔ UK: "I’ve got two sisters."
âś” US: "I have two sisters."
✔ UK: "I’ve got to go now."
âś” US: "I have to go now."
English: A Language With Many Faces
While the differences between British and American English are the most well-known, it’s important to remember that English has numerous variants around the world. After spreading globally, English evolved into different forms in places like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, and beyond.
English: The World's Most Widely Spoken Language
Although Mandarin Chinese has the highest number of native speakers, English boasts the most non-native speakers worldwide. English is in high demand in the global job market, and for practical reasons, it’s often easier to learn than languages like Chinese.
It has become a common medium for communication between people from different countries, such as Italians and Germans, who may not share a common native language but can communicate in English.