🌍 American vs British · vocabulary

gas vs petrol

The liquid fuel used to power most cars and motor vehicles.

American
gas

“We need to stop for gas before we hit the highway.”

British
petrol

“We need to stop for petrol before we get on the motorway.”

Good to know

Americans say 'gas' (short for 'gasoline'); the British say 'petrol'. In Britain, 'gas' refers only to the gaseous fuel used for cooking and heating, so the American usage can sound odd there.

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