30 words and how to spell them in Canada

30 words and how to spell them in Canada

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

CanadianAmericanBritish
OrganizeOrganizeOrganise
TireTireTyre
AirplaneAirplaneAeroplane
CurbCurbKerb
PlowPlowPlough
RealizeRealizeRealise
AluminumAluminumAluminium
SpecialtySpecialtySpeciality
LicoriceLicoriceLiquorice
CozyCozyCosy

10 words using British spelling

CanadianAmericanBritish
ColourColorColour
MetreMeterMetre
CounsellorCounselorCounsellor
ManoeuvreManeuverManoeuvre
DialogueDialogDialogue
TheatreTheaterTheatre
JewelleryJewelryJewellery
TonneTonTonne
StoreyStoryStorey
ChequeCheckCheque

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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By Kim Siever

I am a copywriter and copyeditor. I blog on writing and social media tips mostly, but I sometimes throw in my thoughts about running a small business. Follow me on Twitter at @hotpepper.

2 comments

  1. Plough and amoeba are Canadian versions. I have never heard of ameba. My autocorrect gets upset when I even type it

    1. 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. :)

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