What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
age
Example
What is your age? [age: noun]
Example
She is at an age where she can make her own decisions. [age: noun]
Example
He is showing signs of age with his grey hair and wrinkles. [age: noun]
years
Example
It has been many years since we last saw each other. [years: noun]
Example
During his teenage years, he was very rebellious. [years: noun]
Example
I have years of experience in this field. [years: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Years is more commonly used than age in everyday language. Years is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while age is more specific and tends to be used in more formal or technical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between age and years?
Age is generally more formal than years, as it is often used in legal or medical contexts to refer to a person's chronological age. Years is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.