Aluminium vs. Aluminum: What’s the Difference?

Aluminium vs. Aluminum: What’s the Difference?

Aluminium vs. Aluminum

Did you know that “aluminium” and “aluminum” are actually the same thing? They are both words for the same shiny, silver metal we see in soda cans and foil. The only difference is in the spelling and how people in different places say it. Let’s find out more about these words and how to use them.

History

Long ago, around the early 1800s, a scientist named Sir Humphry Davy came up with the name for this metal. At first, he called it “alumium,” but later he changed it to “aluminum.” In the United States, people stuck with “aluminum.” However, in England and other places that speak British English, the word “aluminium” was chosen to match the names of other elements like “sodium” and “potassium.”

How to Use Them

In the U.S., people say and write “aluminum.” In the U.K. and other British English-speaking countries, people say and write “aluminium.” Both are correct, just used in different places.

Trick to Remember the Difference

If you live in or are talking about America, think of “aluminum” like “freedom” since they both end with “-um.” If you’re talking about U.K. English, think of “aluminium” as being a bit longer, because the U.K. tends to use longer words. Maybe think of “aluminium” like “British kingdom,” both have that fancy “-ium” ending.

Examples with “Aluminum”

• We use aluminum foil to cover our leftovers.
• The airplane is made of aluminum to be light and strong.
• Sarah drinks her soda from an aluminum can.
• The shiny aluminum ladder is in the garage.
• Our school recycles aluminum to help the environment.

Examples with “Aluminium”

• In the U.K., they call that shiny metal aluminium.
• The aluminium pots in the kitchen are easy to clean.
• John’s bicycle is made of aluminium for easy riding.
• They use aluminium windows because they are durable.
• I learned about aluminium in my science class.

Summary

“Aluminum” is used in American English, and “aluminium” is used in British English. They mean the same thing, just pronounced and spelled differently. Both are correct, so use the one that fits the English style you are speaking or writing in.