Neighbor vs. Neighbour: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 6, 2023
"Neighbor" is the American English spelling, while "Neighbour" is the British English spelling; both refer to someone living nearby.
Key Differences
"Neighbor" is a term recognized and predominantly used in American English. This word is commonly utilized in the United States and other countries where American English is the primary form of the language. Conversely, "Neighbour" is the spelling you'd encounter in British English, favored in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth nations.
The pronunciation of both "Neighbor" and "Neighbour" remains largely similar, regardless of the slight variation in spelling. The primary distinction lies in the presence of the 'u' in "Neighbour".
While "Neighbor" and "Neighbour" share the same core definition, denoting someone who resides in close proximity, their spelling distinction can indicate the cultural or regional background of a writer or publication. For instance, an American magazine would use "Neighbor", while a British journal would likely opt for "Neighbour".
Interestingly, despite the spelling variations, both words derive from the same Old English word, "neahgebur", meaning "near-dweller". Over time, as languages evolved and regions developed their own conventions, the two distinct spellings emerged.
Comparison Chart
Spelling
American English spelling.
British English spelling.
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Used in
United States, etc.
UK, Canada, Australia, etc.
Derived from
Old English "neahgebur".
Old English "neahgebur".
Meaning
A person living near or next door.
A person living near or next door.
Example Country
U.S.A.
U.K.
Neighbor and Neighbour Definitions
Neighbor
To be situated next to or very near.
The bakery neighbors the bookstore.
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Neighbour
A person residing nearby or next door.
My neighbour often lends me tools.
Neighbor
To live or be situated as a neighbor.
The two houses neighbor each other.
Neighbour
An adjacent country or territory.
France is a neighbour to the UK.
Neighbor
A person living adjacent or very close.
My neighbor has a lovely garden.
Neighbour
To adjoin or border on.
The park neighbours the school.
Neighbor
One in close association with another.
Canada is a neighbor to the United States.
Neighbour
One's fellow man or woman.
Help your neighbour in times of need.
Neighbor
One who lives near or next to another.
Neighbour
Variant of neighbor.
Neighbor
A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another.
Neighbour
A person living on adjacent or nearby land; a person situated adjacently or nearby; anything (of the same type of thing as the subject) in an adjacent or nearby position.
My neighbour has two noisy cats.
They′re our neighbours across the street.
Neighbor
A fellow human.
Neighbour
One who is near in sympathy or confidence.
Neighbor
Used as a form of familiar address.
Neighbour
(biblical) A fellow human being.
Neighbor
To lie close to or border directly on.
Neighbour
(transitive) To be adjacent to
Though France neighbours Germany, its culture is significantly different.
Neighbor
To live or be situated close by.
Neighbour
To be similar to, to be almost the same as.
That sort of talk is neighbouring on treason.
Neighbor
Situated or living near another
A neighbor state.
Neighbour
To associate intimately with; to be close to.
Neighbor
Standard spelling of neighbour
Neighbour
Same as neighbor, neighboring, neighborhood, neighborly.
Neighbor
Standard spelling of neighbour
Neighbour
A person who lives (or is located) near another
Neighbor
A person who lives near another; one whose abode is not far off.
Masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbors.
Neighbour
A nearby object of the same kind;
Fort Worth is a neighbor of Dallas
What is the closest neighbor to the Earth?
Neighbor
One who is near in sympathy or confidence.
BuckinghamNo more shall be the neighbor to my counsel.
Neighbour
Live or be located as a neighbor;
The neighboring house
Neighbor
One entitled to, or exhibiting, neighborly kindness; hence, one of the human race; a fellow being.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?
The gospel allows no such term as "stranger;" makes every man my neighbor.
Neighbour
Be located near or adjacent to;
Pakistan neighbors India
Neighbor
Near to another; adjoining; adjacent; next; neighboring.
Neighbour
Situated near one another;
Neighbor states
Neighbor
To adjoin; to border on; to be near to.
Leisurely ascending hills that neighbor the shore.
Neighbour
To lie next to or adjoining.
The two farms neighbour each other.
Neighbor
To associate intimately with.
Neighbor
To dwell in the vicinity; to be a neighbor, or in the neighborhood; to be near.
A copse that neighbors by.
Neighbor
A person who lives (or is located) near another
Neighbor
A nearby object of the same kind;
Fort Worth is a neighbor of Dallas
What is the closest neighbor to the Earth?
Neighbor
Live or be located as a neighbor;
The neighboring house
Neighbor
Be located near or adjacent to;
Pakistan neighbors India
Neighbor
Situated near one another;
Neighbor states
FAQs
Are there other words with similar American/British variations?
Yes, like "color" (American) and "colour" (British).
If I'm writing for a global audience, which should I use?
Consider your primary audience or default to the spelling standards of the publication.
Why is there a spelling difference?
It's due to regional variations between American and British English.
Which countries primarily use "Neighbor"?
The U.S. and countries following American English standards.
Are "Neighbor" and "Neighbour" the same in meaning?
Yes, they both refer to someone or something nearby, just spelled differently.
How do I pronounce these words?
Both are pronounced similarly, despite the spelling difference.
In what context is "Neighbour" used in the UK?
It refers to adjacent residents, countries, or anything in close proximity.
What about "Neighbour" as a verb?
Similarly, "Neighbour" can be used as a verb with the same meaning.
Can I find the word "Neighbor" in the Oxford English Dictionary?
Yes, but it will mention that it's the American variant.
Are there differences in usage between the two words?
In terms of meaning, no, but regional usage does differ.
Can "Neighbor" be used as a verb?
Yes, it can mean to adjoin or lie next to.
Do Canadians use "Neighbor"?
No, Canadians generally use "Neighbour", like the British.
How old are these terms?
Both words derive from the Old English "neahgebur".
Is it incorrect to use "Neighbour" in American publications?
While understood, "Neighbor" is the preferred and standard spelling in American English.
Are there any movies or shows emphasizing the term?
Yes, like "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" in the U.S.
Why did American English drop the "u"?
Language evolution and efforts to simplify spellings led to such changes in American English.
How do these words relate to "neighborhood" and "neighbourhood"?
They follow the same pattern: "neighborhood" is American, and "neighbourhood" is British.
In online communication, which version is more prevalent?
It depends on the platform and user base, but global platforms might see both.
How do Australians spell it?
Australians use "Neighbour", following British English conventions.
Are there idioms using these terms?
Yes, like "Love thy neighbor/neighbour" or "Nearest and dearest."
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
