What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
aliquot
Example
The number 6 is an aliquot part of 12. [aliquot: adjective]
Example
We need to measure an aliquot of the solution for the experiment. [aliquot: noun]
portion
Example
I only ate a small portion of the pizza. [portion: noun]
Example
Can you portion out the snacks evenly among the kids? [portion: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Portion is more commonly used than aliquot in everyday language, especially in the context of food and drink. Aliquot is more specialized and is typically used in mathematical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between aliquot and portion?
Aliquot is more formal and technical than portion, which is more casual and everyday. While portion can be used in both formal and informal contexts, aliquot is typically reserved for technical or scientific writing.
