What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
analgesic
Example
The doctor prescribed an analgesic to help with the patient's headache. [analgesic: noun]
Example
She took an analgesic to relieve the pain in her knee. [analgesic: adjective]
painkiller
Example
He took a painkiller to ease the discomfort from his toothache. [painkiller: noun]
Example
The doctor recommended a painkiller to manage the patient's post-operative pain. [painkiller: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Painkiller is more commonly used than analgesic in everyday language, especially in the context of opioid drugs. However, analgesic is still a widely recognized term in the medical field.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between analgesic and painkiller?
Analgesic is a more formal term than painkiller, which is often used in casual conversation. However, both terms can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation.
