🌍 American vs British · vocabulary

mailman vs postman

A person whose job is delivering letters and parcels to homes and businesses.

American
mailman

“The mailman dropped off a package on the porch this morning.”

British
postman

“The postman dropped off a parcel on the doorstep this morning.”

Good to know

Americans say "mailman" (or the gender-neutral "mail carrier"), while Britons say "postman" (or "postwoman"). The terms mirror the broader split between American "mail" and British "post."

Related comparisons

mail/postzip code/postcodeattorney/solicitorprincipal/headteacher

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