What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
alphabetical
Example
The names in the phonebook are listed in alphabetical order. [alphabetical: adjective]
Example
Please organize the files in alphabetical order by title. [alphabetical: adverb]
lexical
Example
The lexical richness of Shakespeare's plays is unparalleled. [lexical: adjective]
Example
The linguist conducted a lexical analysis of the text to identify patterns and themes. [lexical: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alphabetical is more commonly used than lexical in everyday language, especially in contexts such as directories, indexes, and dictionaries. Lexical, on the other hand, is more commonly used in academic and technical contexts, such as linguistics, language learning, and research.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between alphabetical and lexical?
Lexical is generally considered more formal than alphabetical, as it is a technical term used primarily in academic and research settings. However, both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation and audience.
