Theatre vs. Theater
The main difference between Theatre and Theater is that Theatre is the preferred word in British English, whereas Theater is the preferred word in American English.

Key Differences
Theatre ending is –re, whereas theater ending is –er.
Theatre is a more old and ancient term, while theater is the less old and new term.
The word theatre is originated from Greece. On the flip side, the word theater is originated from France.
According to American’s point of distinguishing theatre from the theater, theatre is a movie or play performance. On the flip side, the theater is a drama plot.
Theatre is a preferential word for practice and usage in British English. On the flip side, the theater is preferred in American English.
The term theatre was emerged in about 300 BC. Conversely, the term theater emerged about 50 years ago in America.
Theatre is directly descended from the French language. In contrast, the theater is a word of English language that is indirectly descended from French through Latin and Greek.
In American’s view, theatre is a piece of art. On the other hand, the theater is a room or venue where artists demonstrate their prowess and dexterity by showing that art.
Theatre is commonly used in Europe, whereas theater is commonly used in the United States.
The countries, which follow the word “theatre” are Europe, Singapore, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Malaysia, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, India, and England, etc. On the other hand, the countries, which follow the word “theater” are South America, the Philippines, Japan, Northern China, the Caribbean, Saudi Arabia, Jodan, Iraq, and Kuwait, etc.
Theatre is used to communicate with the audience of Europe, the British, and every country other than America. In contrast, to communicate with the audience of America, the theater is used.
Comparison Chart
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A building or an outdoor area in which plays are performed is called theatre.
A play or a movie presentation in the form of its dramatic qualities is called theater.
Spelling Difference
Ending with –re
Ending with –er
Language
British English
American English
Countries Following
Countries other than the United States
The United States
Example
How dare you go to the theatre?
Marry has been in love with theater since she was only seven years old.
Theatre and Theater Definitions
Theatre
Variant of theater.
Theater
A building, room, or outdoor structure for the presentation of plays, films, or other dramatic performances.
Theatre
Alternative spelling of theater
Theater
A room with tiers of seats used for lectures or demonstrations
An operating theater at a medical school.
Theatre
A cinema; movie theatre.
Theater
Dramatic literature or its performance; drama
The theater of Shakespeare and Marlowe.
Theatre
A building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented;
The house was full
Theater
The milieu of actors and playwrights.
Theatre
The art of writing and producing plays
Theater
The quality or effectiveness of a theatrical production
Good theater.
Awful theater.
Theatre
A region in which active military operations are in progress;
The army was in the field awaiting action
He served in the Vietnam theater for three years
Theater
Dramatic material or the use of such material
"His summation was a great piece of courtroom theater" (Ron Rosenbaum).
Theater
The audience assembled for a dramatic performance.
Theater
A place that is the setting for dramatic events.
Theater
A large geographic area in which military operations are coordinated
The European theater during World War II.
Theater
A place or building, consisting of a stage and seating, in which an audience gathers to watch plays, musical performances, public ceremonies, and so on.
Theater
A region where a particular action takes place; a specific field of action, usually with reference to war.
His grandfather was in the Pacific theater during the war.
Theater
A lecture theatre.
Theater
(medicine) An operating theatre or locale for human experimentation.
This man is about to die, get him into theater at once!
Theater
(US) A cinema.
We sat in the back row of the theater and threw popcorn at the screen.
Theater
Drama or performance as a profession or art form.
I worked in theater for twenty-five years.
Theater
Any place rising by steps like the seats of a theater.
Theater
A conspicuous but unproductive display of action.
The Senate confirmation hearings were just theater.
Security theater
Theater
An edifice in which dramatic performances or spectacles are exhibited for the amusement of spectators; anciently uncovered, except the stage, but in modern times roofed.
Theater
Any room adapted to the exhibition of any performances before an assembly, as public lectures, scholastic exercises, anatomical demonstrations, surgical operations, etc.
Theater
That which resembles a theater in form, use, or the like; a place rising by steps or gradations, like the seats of a theater.
Shade above shade, a woody theaterOf stateliest view.
Theater
A sphere or scheme of operation.
For if a man can be partaker of God's theater, he shall likewise be partaker of God's rest.
Theater
A place or region where great events are enacted; as, the theater of war.
Theater
A building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented;
The house was full
Theater
The art of writing and producing plays
Theater
A region in which active military operations are in progress;
The army was in the field awaiting action
He served in the Vietnam theater for three years
Theatre vs. Theater
Theatre is the correct spelling in British and many English-speaking countries other than the United States, whereas theater is the correct spelling in the United States. Theatre ends with –re. On the flip side, theater ends with –er.
Theatre is an old French word, whereas theater is an English word having Greek and Latin roots from the French language basically. Theatre is a word for communication with American people, while theater is a word for communication with British people.
According to the American’s point of view, theatre is considered a play or movie slot. In contrast, the theater is considered a drama plot. Theatre is a very ancient term, but theater is a new term. The term theatre was founded in 300 BC, while theater is founded about 50 years ago in America.
If your audience is a European resident, or you are conversing with people who live in Canada and British, etc. then you should prefer using “theatre.” On the flip side, If your audience is a US resident or you are communicating with people living in America, you should choose “theater.”
Countries like including Europe, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, and Pakistan, etc. prefer the usage of “theatre,” whereas countries like South America, the Caribbean, Japan, South Korea, Northern China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jodan, Iraq, and the Philippines, etc. use the word “theater.”
What is Theatre?
A theatre is a building or a room where people come and are entertained by different performances from different artists, musicians, opera singers, ballerinas, dancers, lyricists, humorists, jokers, and actors. It is generally considered that theatre is the actual art, and theater is the building in which this art is performed, but there is no difference between these two terms in their meanings.
Theatres are created to entertain the people, to wipe out their sorrows, and help them relax in their harsh lives. Theatre is a brach where different art is demonstrated by different artists, which perform their roles by acting out stories in front of the audience.
The essential benefit of theatre is that theatres improve life and enhance academic performance. Theatre is something that the audience sees as they sit in the theatre and view the work. A theatre must have a thought, any theme, or any idea, which can be explained as the story guideline which interprets the whole story.
Theatres are presented by many features associating with them, i.e., Action or plot, characters, language, music, and spectacles, etc. The significant elements of a theatre are performers, audience, director, theatre space, design aspects like scenery, costume, lighting, and sound, etc. and text mainly, which include focus, purpose, and point of view.
Theatre helps us with fast thinking and improvisation. It bounds vast diversity in it, which teaches fundamental skills for project management, respect for everyone, and understanding. Theatre’s kinds are Tragedy, Comedy, Melodrama, and Drama.
What is Theater?
The theater is a word originated from France and adopted in America about 50 years ago. The theater has the same pronunciation and meaning as theatre. The theater is the preferred word in America and is not much old as compared to “theatre.”
The word “theater” emerged in the 14th century and is most common in publication and practice in the United States only. The theater is known as a commotion or profession of acting, manufacturing, producing, representing, directing, and writing plays.
A room or big hall with tightly placed seats in confined space is also called theater. A room or operation place where an operation or surgery is performed is also called theater. It is also used to manifest weapons used between tactical and strategic wars.
Examples
- Excuse me, where is the main entrance to the theater?
- I was doing dishes when I heard that Ali was going to the theater with his brother.
- The old theater will be demolished and replaced by a new one.
- My best friend gave me theater tickets as my birthday present.
- A large crowd was gathered outside the theater because of an accident.
- I decided to attend a comedy theater along with my college friends.
- Do you have any tickets for Money Heist’s season 4 show?
- In addition to his desolate exploits, donkey Bill had a theater career too.
- Manual was interested in upbringing his career in musical theater.
- Do you want to go to the theater tonight, or you want to rest alone?
- She refused to go to a melodrama theater.