British and American English not only differ in pronunciation, but they also sometimes use different words for the same thing. And for some same words they use different spelling. British English is still more influenced by the original French words like metre, litre, theatre, centre, manoeuvre you can still use in the English language, whereas the American words are more spelled like they are spoken.
Examples:
British: programme → American: program
Nowadays the American spelling becomes more and more also standard in international English. So if in doubt, you can always use the American spelling, which is usually a little moe simplified, respectively close to how it is spoken.
Attention: though you may find the word “thru” as a modern way to write the word “through”, we would still recommend to you to only use the spelling “through”. “Thru” is more used in informal and shortened text with people you know on an (almost) private level.
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aubergine | eggplant | behaviour | behavior | analyse | analyze |
ageing | aging | colour | color | apologise | apologize |
aluminium | aluminum | flavour | flavor | emphasise | emphasize |
boiler suit | coveralls | favourite | favorite | optimise | optimize |
bogeyman | boogeyman | neighbour | neighbor | organise | organize |
catalogue | catalog | pyjamas | pajamas | recognise | recognize |
chemist | drug store | trainers | sneakers | zip | zipper |
draught | draft | centre | center | travelled | traveled |
dreamt | dreamed | fibre | fiber | traveller | traveler |
grey | gray | metre | meter | travelling | traveling |
jumper | sweater | kilometre | kilometer | modelling | modeling |
jewellery | jewelry | theatre | theater | counselling | counseling |
learnt | learned | manoeuvre | maneuver | counsellor | counselor |
moustache | mustache | sombre | somber | fuelled | fueled |
programme | program | spectre | specter | signalling | signaling |
tyre | tire |