Definitions in a Dictionary - British & American English

Once you found the word you are looking for, you need to understand a few common conventions to make best use of your dictionary.

An example entry in a dictionary:
feat (fi:t) n. a remarkable, skillful, or daring action; exploit; achievement: feats of strength...
(Collins English Dictionary)

1. feat - defined word

2. (fi:t) - a phonological transcription of the word (the correct pronunciation), usually using the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet)

3. n. - the part of speech, in this case 'n.' means noun (look for a list of abbreviations used in your Dictionary).

4. a remarkable, skillful, or daring action; exploit; achievement: definitions of the word. Different meanings of a word will be separated by numbers.

5. feats of strength - example sentence using the defined word


Differences Between British and American Spelling
Most dictionaries include both spellings. Usually the differences are noted in one of two ways:

In many US dictionaries the difference is included in the headword with the variation in parentheses. For example: colo(u)r

In British Dictionaries, the Dictionary makes note of the difference in brackets immediately after the headword.

List of the main differences between British and American spelling:
British -our (honour)
American -or (honor)

British -re (centre)
American -er (center)

British -ogue (dialogue)
American -og (dialog)

British -ence (defence)
American -ense (defense)

British -ise 1 (recognise)
American -ize (recognize)

American English spelling sometimes does not double the consonant at the end of a word, while British English spelling does, especially when the consonant is an 'l'.
For example: travel, traveller, travelling (British)
and travel, traveler, traveling (American)


Differences Between British and American English
Generally, it is agreed that no one version is "correct". The most important rule of thumb is to be consistent in your usage. The following guide is meant to point out the principal differences between these two varieties of English.

Use of the Present Perfect
In British English the present perfect is used to express an action that has occurred in the recent past that has an effect on the present moment.
For example: I've lost my key. Can you help me look for it?

In American English the following is also possible (though incorrect in British English):
I lost my key. Can you help me look for it?

Other differences involving the use of the present perfect in British English and simple past in American English include already, just and yet.

British English:
I've already seen that film
I've just had lunch
Have you finished your homework yet?

American English:
I've already seen that film OR I already saw that film.
I just had lunch OR I've just had lunch
Have your finished your homework yet? OR Did you finish your homework yet?

Possession
There are two forms to express possession in English. Have or Have got

Do you have a car?
Have you got a car?
He hasn't got any friends.
He doesn't have any friends.
She has a beautiful new home.
She's got a beautiful new home.

While both forms are correct (and accepted in both British and American English), have gothave you got, he hasn't got, etc.) is generally the preferred form in British English while most speakers of American English employ the have (do you have, he doesn't have etc.)

The Verb Get
The past participle of the verb get is gotten in American English.
Example: He's gotten much better at playing tennis.
British English - He's got much better at playing tennis.

Vocabulary
Probably the major differences between British and American English lies in the choice of vocabulary. Some words mean different things in the two varieties.

For example:
Mean
American English - angry, bad humored
British English - not generous, tight fisted

Rubber
American English - condom
British English - tool used to erase pencil markings

There are too many more examples to list here. Your dictionary will note differences in usage in its definition of the term. Many vocabulary items are also used in one form and not in the other. One of the best examples of this is the terminology used for automobiles.
American English - hood British English - bonnet
American English - trunk British English - boot
American English - truck British English - lorry

For a more complete list of the vocabulary differences between British and American English use this British vs. American English vocabulary tool: http://esl.about.com/library/vocabulary/blbritam.htm

Prepositions
American English - on the weekend
British English - at the weekend

American English - on a team
British English - in a team

American English - please write me soon
British English - please write to me soon

Past Simple/Past Participles
The following verbs have two acceptable forms of the past simple/past participle in both American and British English. However, the irregular form is more common in British Englishthe first form of the two) and the regular form is more common to American English.

Burn
Burnt OR burned

Dream
dreamt OR dreamed

Lean
leant OR leaned

Learn
learnt OR learned

Smell
smelt OR smelled

Spell
spelt OR spelled

Spill
spilt OR spilled

Spoil
spoilt OR spoiled

Spelling
Here are some general differences between British and American spellings:

Words ending in
-our (British) colour, humour, flavour
-or (American) color, humor, flavor, etc.

Words ending in
-ise (British) recognise, patronise
-ize (American) recognize, patronize, etc.

*Use the spell check to make sure that you are consistent in your spelling
*Choose which variety of English you would like
*The largest difference between standard British English and American English is probably that of the choice of vocabulary and pronunciation


For more information, check out Kenneth Beare.