There are many differences between American and British English, and knowing your audience will help you write clearly and effectively to achieve your goals. Notice that behaviour has an extra U– just like the U in United Kingdom, where behaviour is likely to be used. Even though they mean the same thing, they are used in different language communities. Is it behavior or behaviour? Behavior and behavior are two versions of the same noun, which means observable actions performed by a person, animal, or machine. This is the memory tool that will help you choose between these words.īehavior and behaviour also follow similar spelling difference between American and British English, such as color vs. You will notice that behaviour has an extra U, just like United Kingdom, where behaviour is much more likely to be used. Behaviour is standard in British English.Behavior is standard in American English.Trick to Remember the Differenceīehaviour and behavior are two versions of the same word. As you can see, however, they clearly point to American standardization around behavior and British standardization around behaviour. These charts aren’t scientific, since they only look at English books written since 1800. Note, however, that different is often redundant, as in “They came up with many different ideas” (do you need to specify that the ideas they came up with were not identical?), so consider whether it is necessary to replace the deleted word at all.Here is a comparable chart, focusing solely on American English, Various: unlike, or of differing kinds, or see separate also, individual, or having a number of qualities, or an indefinite number more than one Varied: see diverse and various also, having different-colored markings (also a verb)Ĥ0. Variant: varying slightly also, demonstrating disagreement or variety (also a noun)ģ9. Singular: distinctive also, exceptional or unusual, or pertaining to a single thingģ8. Single: unlike any other also, lone, unmarried, or celibate, or honest or exclusive, or designed for one, or having only one item or part, or undividedģ6. Several: see distinct and separate also, exclusive or relating separately, or a fewģ5. Separate: not similar also, autonomous, detached, or individual (also a verb)ģ4. Ragtag: see motley also, ragged or slovenlyģ3. Promiscuous: consisting of all types, or not restricted to one type also, casual, irregular, or tending to have multiple sexual partners (because of this provocative connotation, promiscuous is rarely used in other senses)ģ1. Piebald: consisting of incongruous parts also, consisting of different colors (especially black and white)Ģ9. Peculiar: distinctive also, unusual or abnormal (this negative connotation predominates, so use with caution)Ģ8. Particular: see distinct also, detailed, specific, or exacting or meticulous (also, in plural form, a noun)Ģ7. Motley: incongruously diverse also, having different-colored markingsĢ6. Mixed: consisting of more than one kind (also a verb)Ģ4. Manifold: see diverse or various also, many, or consisting of various qualities (also an unrelated noun)Ģ3. Magpie: collected indiscriminately also, acquisitive (also, a person who collects indiscriminately or chatters, or the bird whose behavior inspires these usages)Ģ1. Kitchen-sink: consisting of noticeably different parts also, referring to the degrading aspects of povertyĢ0.
Individual: see separate also, pertaining to an individual or individuality (also a noun)ġ9. Indiscriminate: see heterogeneous or motley also, random, unrestrained, or careless about distinctionġ8. Idiosyncratic: having a distinguishable quality also, eccentric, or hypersensitiveġ7. Heterogeneous: consisting of dissimilar ingredients or partsġ6. Eclectic: Drawn from various sources, or see heterogeneousġ5. Divers: see various (also an unrelated and differently pronounced plural form of diver)ġ4. Divergent: differing from each other or from a standardġ2. Distinct: separate, or readily distinguishable also, notable or unmistakableġ1. Distant: different in kind also, separated or far away from, going a long way, or far behind, or reserved in behavior, or distractedġ0. Disparate: see distinct, or incompatibly differentĩ. Discernible: able to be recognized as different also detectable or recognizableħ. Differing: see distinct, or changing from one case or situation to another also, disagreeingĥ. Assorted: consisting of different kindsĤ. Alternative: referring to a choice also, apart from the conventional or usualģ. Alternate: arranged or occurring in turns, or see alternative also, every other (also a verb)Ģ. Looking for a different way to say “different”? Here are forty more or less distinct synonyms, along with their sometimes similar, sometimes disparate meanings.ġ. 40 Synonyms for “Different” By Mark Nichol