List of English words beginning with R that are not used in the United States
What will I learn from the book List of English words beginning with R that are not used in the United States?
There are a lot of words in the English language that are used in everyday life in the Great Britain that is not used in America or has a different meaning. This book is for teachers or people who have an high understanding of the English language already.
Who is the book of English words not used in America aimed at?
The List of English words from A to Z book is a reference book that has been written for students and the general reader. It will help you with any basic questions about spelling, punctuation, grammar and word usage that you are likely to ask. This page list all words and saying beginning with R and shows clear explanations with sentences where they are needed.
This is book should be used to help reference words or sayings. It is not to be used as a dictionary although, it is like a dictionary, as all the words are arranged alphabetically.
How do I use this English book of words from A to Z?
Click on each letter of the alphabet to get the full list of British words and explanation of each.
[ A ] [ B ] [ C ] [ D ] [ E ] [ F ] [ G ] [ H ] [ I ] [ J ] [ K ] [ L ] [ M ] [ N ] [ O ] [ P ] [ Q ] [ R ] [ S ] [ T ] [ U ] [ V ] [ W ] [ X ] [ Y ] [ Z ]
Words beginning with R
randy
(informal) having sexual desire, lustful, horny (now more common in the US because of the Austin Powers franchise)
ranker
an enlisted soldier or airman or (more rarely) a commissioned officer who has been promoted from enlisted status ("the ranks" * )
rashers *
cuts of bacon
rat-arsed
(slang) extremely drunk
recce
(informal) reconnoître, reconnaissance (pronounced recky) (US: recon)
recorded delivery
certified mail
reel of cotton
in the US is spool of thread
Register Office, Registry Office
official office where births, marriages and deaths are recorded; usu. refers to local Register Office (in each town or locality). General Register Office is the relevant government department. In England and Wales until 2001, almost all civil (non-church) marriages took place in the local Register Office; different laws apply in Scotland and N. Ireland. "Register Office" is the correct legal term, but "registry office" is in common informal use. (US: Office of Vital Statistics)
Return
A ticket that is valid for travel to a destination and back. A round trip ticket.
Right of way
path (usually an old one) upon which one has the right to travel regardless of land ownership. (Americans are likely to misunderstand the phrase to mean correct way although right-of-way is in use in the US.)
road-works
upgrade or repairs of roads (US: construction; roadwork [singular])
rock
hard candy in cylindrical form often sold at holiday locations and made so that the location's name appears on the end even when broken. (US: no exact equivalent, but similar to a candy cane)
rodgering
(vulgar) to engage in a sexual act, or suggest it. e.g.: "I'd give her a good rodgering!"
ropey
(informal) chancy; of poor quality; uncertain (see dodgy). Can also mean unwell when used in the form to feel ropey
row *
a fight or argument (rhymes with cow)
reverse charge call
a telephone call for which the recipient pays (US and UK also: collect call); also v. to reverse [the] charge[s] *, to make such a call (dated in US, used in the 1934 American film It Happened One Night – US usually: to call collect)
rota
a roll call or roster of names, or round or rotation of duties
roundabout
a circular multi-exit road junction. (US: rotary junction; traffic circle)
(the) rozzers
1.(rare slang) Police ("Quick, the rozzers! Scarper!") – possibly from Robert Peel, who also gave his name to two other slang terms for the police: peelers (archaic) and bobbies (becoming old-fashioned).
rubber
a pencil eraser (US: eraser. The word eraser is additionally used in the US to refer to a blackboard eraser. "Rubber" in the US is a slang term for a condom.)
rubbish
worthless, unwanted material that is rejected or thrown out; debris; litter (US: trash, garbage)
rucksack *
a backpack.
rug muncher
a lesbian. also carpet muncher.
rumpy pumpy
sexual intercourse, used jokingly. (Popularised by its usage in The Black Adder and subsequent series; the suggestion of actor Alex Norton of a Scots term.)
