Neighbor vs. Neighbour — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 5, 2023
Neighbor (American English) and Neighbour (British English) mean the same: a person living near or next door to the speaker or person referred to.
Difference Between Neighbor and Neighbour
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Neighbor" and "Neighbour," fundamentally, signify the same concept but have variant spellings owing to regional English differences. "Neighbor" is employed in American English, where it designates a person residing in close proximity or adjoining residences.
"Neighbour" adheres to British English conventions and like "Neighbor," it delineates an individual or entity located nearby. It may refer to someone living in the adjacent house, but can also define nations sharing a border or similar locations.
"Neighbor" seamlessly integrates into American English writing and communication, being the standard and recognized spelling in the United States. Thus, in American literature, media, and dialogues, "Neighbor" is the accustomed spelling.
Conversely, "Neighbour" maintains its stance in British English, ubiquitously utilized across the United Kingdom and other territories observing British spelling norms. It is incorporated into British media, education, and general communication.
While "Neighbor" and "Neighbour" hold identical meanings, the demarcation lies purely in the orthographic conventions of American and British English respectively, with neither spelling being incorrect in its respective domain.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
Uses “or”
Uses “our”
Regional Usage
Employed in American English
Used in British English
Pronunciation
Generally pronounced [ney-ber]
Pronounced [ney-buh]
Example Usage
"My neighbor is very friendly."
"Our neighbour helped us move in."
Contextual Application
Used in American literature and publications
Predominantly used in British communications
Compare with Definitions
Neighbor
A person or place in relation to others next or near to it.
Mexico is a southern neighbor to the USA.
Neighbour
A nearby entity or object.
France is a neighbour to Spain.
Neighbor
A person living adjacent to or very near another.
Our neighbor offered to collect our mail while we’re away.
Neighbour
An individual living near or next to another.
Our neighbour warmly greeted us.
Neighbor
Someone or something situated nearby.
The bookstore is a close neighbor to the café.
Neighbour
A person or place closely adjacent to another.
Their house is right next to their neighbour’s.
Neighbor
One’s fellow human being.
Be kind to your neighbor as yourself.
Neighbour
An entity similar or related to another.
Kindness is a close neighbour to love.
Neighbor
One who lives near or next to another.
Neighbour
A person living next door to or very near to the speaker or person referred to
Our garden was the envy of the neighbours
Neighbor
A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another.
Neighbour
(of a place or object) be situated next to or very near (another)
The square neighbours the old quarter of the town
Neighbor
A fellow human.
Neighbour
Variant of neighbor.
Neighbor
Used as a form of familiar address.
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
To lie close to or border directly on.
Neighbour
One who is near in sympathy or confidence.
Neighbor
To live or be situated close by.
Neighbour
(biblical) A fellow human being.
Neighbor
Situated or living near another
A neighbor state.
Neighbour
(transitive) To be adjacent to
Though France neighbours Germany, its culture is significantly different.
Neighbor
Standard spelling of neighbour
Neighbour
To be similar to, to be almost the same as.
That sort of talk is neighbouring on treason.
Neighbor
Standard spelling of neighbour
Neighbour
To associate intimately with; to be close to.
Neighbor
A person who lives near another; one whose abode is not far off.
Masters, my good friends, mine honest neighbors.
Neighbour
Same as neighbor, neighboring, neighborhood, neighborly.
Neighbor
One who is near in sympathy or confidence.
BuckinghamNo more shall be the neighbor to my counsel.
Neighbour
A person who lives (or is located) near another
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
A nearby object of the same kind;
Fort Worth is a neighbor of Dallas
What is the closest neighbor to the Earth?
Neighbor
Near to another; adjoining; adjacent; next; neighboring.
Neighbour
Live or be located as a neighbor;
The neighboring house
Neighbor
To adjoin; to border on; to be near to.
Leisurely ascending hills that neighbor the shore.
Neighbour
Be located near or adjacent to;
Pakistan neighbors India
Neighbor
To associate intimately with.
Neighbour
Situated near one another;
Neighbor states
Neighbor
To dwell in the vicinity; to be a neighbor, or in the neighborhood; to be near.
A copse that neighbors by.
Neighbour
A term referring to fellow beings or creations.
Treat your neighbour as you would like to be treated.
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
Neighbor
Someone who offers help or kindness.
She was a good neighbor, always offering a helping hand.
Common Curiosities
Are "Neighbor" and "Neighbour" synonymous?
Yes, they hold the same meaning but have different regional spellings.
Which English uses "Neighbour"?
"Neighbour" is used in British English.
Can "Neighbor" refer to non-residential proximities?
Yes, it can refer to any entity in close proximity or relationship.
Can "Neighbor" imply a friendly relationship?
It denotes proximity but doesn’t inherently imply friendship.
Is "Neighbor" used in all English-speaking countries?
No, "Neighbor" is specific to American English.
Is "Neighbor" used in Australia?
No, Australia generally follows British English spelling: "Neighbour."
Can "Neighbor" refer to nations?
Yes, "Neighbor" can describe countries in relation to proximity.
Is “Neighbour” used in Canada?
Yes, Canada uses the British English spelling, “Neighbour.”
Is "Neighbor" used in British English?
Generally, no. "Neighbour" is the standard spelling in British English.
Can "Neighbour" signify more metaphorical proximity?
Yes, "Neighbour" can also indicate metaphorical or relational proximity.
Is "Neighbour" recognized in American English?
While understood, "Neighbour" is not the standard American spelling.
Is "Neighbor" acceptable in formal American writing?
Yes, "Neighbor" is the standard and accepted spelling in American English.
Can “Neighbour” refer to entities like stores?
Yes, “Neighbour” can refer to adjacent businesses, structures, or entities.
Does "Neighbour" imply similar characteristics?
Not necessarily. It fundamentally indicates spatial proximity.
Can "Neighbour" represent non-geographical closeness?
Yes, "Neighbour" can indicate both geographical and relational proximity.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
