Canada is an interesting country. It’s a lot like the United States, but it’s not the United States. Even in language, Canadian English has similarities to American English, but still retains qualities of British English.
I thought it would be interesting to post a list of words showing the differences between Canadian, American, and British English.
This is not an exhaustive list, and some Canadian words are changing due to a greater influence of American culture.
10 words using American spelling
| Canadian | American | British |
| Organize | Organize | Organise |
| Tire | Tire | Tyre |
| Airplane | Airplane | Aeroplane |
| Curb | Curb | Kerb |
| Plow | Plow | Plough |
| Realize | Realize | Realise |
| Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminium |
| Specialty | Specialty | Speciality |
| Licorice | Licorice | Liquorice |
| Cozy | Cozy | Cosy |
10 words using British spelling
| Canadian | American | British |
| Colour | Color | Colour |
| Metre | Meter | Metre |
| Counsellor | Counselor | Counsellor |
| Manoeuvre | Maneuver | Manoeuvre |
| Dialogue | Dialog | Dialogue |
| Theatre | Theater | Theatre |
| Jewellery | Jewelry | Jewellery |
| Tonne | Ton | Tonne |
| Storey | Story | Storey |
| Cheque | Check | Cheque |
10 words that are uniquely Canadian
- Chinook: a warm wind coming from the mountains, particularly in the Prairies
- Poutine: a dish combining french fries, cheese curds, and gravy
- Butter tart: a pastry cooked with a butter, sugar, syrup, and egg filling
- Loonie: a slang term for our dollar
- Runners: running shoes
- Toque: a winter head covering
- Eavestrough: collects rain water from a roof and diverts it to a downspout
- Garburator: garbage disposal unit
- Parkade: parking lot, especially a multi-storey one
- Washroom: bathroom
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Plough and amoeba are Canadian versions. I have never heard of ameba. My autocorrect gets upset when I even type it
Thanks for catching “ameba”, Sean. I have switched it out for “cozy” instead. While “plough” is an option in Canada, it is more common to find “plow”.
Thanks for stopping by. :)