Here are some of the common American and British spellings that cause confusion and errors for students. Please note that in India, we generally tend to use the British spellings, but there is a trend towards the American spellings now.

breadth = width
use = *

cyclone = storm
use = *

niche = nook, best position for something
use = make a niche for himself

severity = harshness
use = *

fabricate = construct
use = he fabricated an excuse to avoid trouble

clandestine = secret
use = clandestine activities

stint = limit, assignment
use = He has just finished a stint of compulsory military service

derogatory = degrading
use = derogatory comment

benevolent = kind
use = a benevolent action

decipher = decode
use = to decipher someone’s handwriting

effeminate = unmanly
use = An effeminate man entered the room

counterstrike = strike back
use = *

acclaim = recognition, fame, praise
use = an acclaimed author

amid = among
use = amid mounds of books

lethargy = indifferent, inactivity
use = *

retiring = modest, unassuming
use = to be shy and retiring

nomenclature = terms used in a particular science or discipline
use = nomenclature of organic chemicals

accredit = authorize
use = accredited organization

charisma = a natural power which some people have to influence or attract people
use = a charismatic leader

polyglot = Speaking several tongues
use = a polyglot, he spoke 4 languages

rapidity = speed
use = *

implication = that which is implied or suggested
use = implications of your remark

lustrous = Shining
use = long lustrous hair

abacus = counting device
use = abacus was used for counting

tonal = pertaining to sound
use = *

unimpeachable = beyond question
use = a man of unimpeachable integrity and character

belabor = to assail verbally, to insist repeatedly or harp on
use = belabor a point

listless = lacking spirit or interest
use = The illness left him listless

unfaltering = steadfast
use = *

penury = extreme poverty
use = the painter lived in penury

psyche = soul, mind
use = the psyche of people

herbivorous = feeding on plants
use = a herbivorous dinosaur

vicious = evil
use = a vicious dog

proportionate = commensurate
use = Weight is proportional to size

prevailing = common, current
use = the prevailing attitude

hypocritical = deceiving , two-faced
use = Their accusations of corruption are hypocritical – they have been just as corrupt themselves

tract = pamphlet, a region of indefinite size
use = *

auxiliary = secondary, supplementary, reserve
use = an auxiliary nurse

exorbitant = expensive, greater than reasonable
use = exorbitant prices

contentious = argumentative, quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent
use = a contentious decision

amputate = To remove by cutting, as a limb
use = his leg had to be amputated

torso = trunk of statue with head and limbs missing, human trunk
use = *

incidental = insignificant, minor
use = incidental details

layman = nonprofessional
use = in layman’s terms

consummate = perfect, having great skills, complete, accomplished
use = a consummate professional

confiscate = seize, to appropriate
use = the government confiscated the criminal’s property

blunder = a mistake
use = it was a big blunder

magnanimous = generous, kindhearted
use = the manager was magnanimous in victory, and praised the losing team

employ = use
use = statistical analysis was employed to obtain these results

legacy = A bequest
use = The war left a legacy of hatred

accomplice = one who aids a lawbreaker
use = the accomplice was also sentenced to jail

lagoon = a small lake, pond, basin
use = we swam in the lagoon

compelling = convincing
use = compel someone to do something

literal = word for word
use = The literal meaning

fluctuate = waver, vary
use = Vegetable prices fluctuate according to the season

clan = extended family
use = the whole clan came to visit us

iterate = repeat, reiterate
use = I will iterate the warning

optician = One who makes eye-glasses
use = *

rhetoric = persuasive use of language
use = election campaign rhetoric

deter = discourage, prevent from happening
use = the security alarm will deter thieves from coming to this park

industry = business or trade, energy
use = *

inconceivable = unthinkable
use = It would be inconceivable for her to change her mind.

abduct = kidnap
use = abducted from his car

gregarious = sociable, outgoing
use = a gregarious person

swindler = cheat
use = the swindler was jailed

fabricated = constructed, invented
use = a fabricated story

lewd = sexual in an obvious and rude way
use = a lewd suggestion

culminate = climax
use = Their many years of research have finally culminated in a cure for the disease

tribute = a gift or statement showing respect
use = Tributes have been pouring in from all over the world

ancillary = supplementary, subsidiary, subordinate
use = ancillary unit

arduous = extremely difficult, hard
use = an arduous journey

sedate = calm and relaxed
use = The speed limit in many areas is a sedate 60 kph

willful = deliberate
use = years of willful neglect by the council

ambidextrous = able to use both hands equally well
use = an ambidextrous painter

centigrade = a unit of measuring temperature
use = *

rehabilitate = To restore to a former status
use = try to rehabilitate prisoners

extent = scope
use = the extent of his injuries

collateral = securities for a debt, or accompanying
use = She used her house as collateral for a loan

reform = Change for the better
use = who will reform India’s obsolete laws

stealth = secrecy, covertness
use = These thieves operate with stealth

furor = commotion
use = the furor over his last film

gait = manner of walking
use = He walked with a slow stiff gait

jovial = Merry
use = He seemed a very jovial chap

novel = new, unique
use = a novel idea

exchequer = government department in charge of the revenues
use = *

felicitous = very appropriate, pertinent
use = He summed up the achievements in one or two felicitous phrases

introspective = looking within oneself
use = introspective songs

nuance = shade of meaning, subtlety
use = Linguists explore the nuances of language

tolerance = capacity to respect different values
use = religious tolerance

degrade = demean
use = don’t degrade woman

colloquial = informal speech
use = colloquial speech

elusive = evasive
use = Success, however, remained elusive for her

livid = enraged, reddened with anger
use = He was livid when he found out

correlation = mutual relationship, association
use = There’s a high correlation between smoking and lung cancer

annex = to attach
use = turn left to go to the annex

nuisance = annoyance
use = power failure was a real nuisance

hygienic = sanitary, clean
use = It is not hygienic

hypothetical = theoretical, speculative
use = a hypothetical example

court-martial = military trial
use = he had to face a court-martial for disobeying the commanding officer

circuitous = roundabout
use = a circuitous route

placate = appease, to soothe
use = Outraged minority groups will not be placated by promises of future improvements

perturbation = agitation, disturbance
use = Perturbations in the orbit of the planet Uranus led to the discovery of Neptune

considered = well thought out, contemplated
use = It is my considered opinion

scenario = plot outline, screenplay
use = There are several possible scenarios

inevitable = Unavoidable, predestined
use = an inevitable war

hydrophobia = fear of water
use = *

apprehend = arrest
use = police apprehended the thief

indemnity = insurance, compensate against loss
use = city will indemnify all home owners

facility = skill, aptitude, ease in doing something
use = His facility for languages is astounding

malevolent = causing evil or harm to others
use = I could feel his malevolent gaze

upshot = result
use = The upshot of the discussions is that

incite = foment, provoke
use = he incited racial hatred

balm = soothing ointment, soothing, healing influence
use = a new skin balm

babble = to talk foolishly or murmur
use = he was just babbling

rebuke = criticize
use = He received a stern rebuke from the manager

parable = allegory
use = the wise man told parables

anthrax = disease
use = anthrax virus

becoming = proper
use = That’s a most becoming dress

aggrieved = unjustly injured
use = He felt aggrieved at not being chosen for the team

dissolution = disintegration
use = the assembly was dissolved