What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
baptism
Example
The baby was baptized in the church last Sunday. [baptized: past tense]
Example
She decided to undergo baptism to officially join the Christian community. [baptism: noun]
christening
Example
The christening of their newborn son took place in the local church. [christening: noun]
Example
They invited friends and family to witness the christening of their daughter. [christening: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Baptism is more commonly used than christening in everyday language, as it is a more general term that can be applied to various Christian denominations. Christening is more specific and may be less familiar to people outside of certain religious communities.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between baptism and christening?
While baptism is generally considered a more formal term, christening can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the religious tradition and the nature of the event.
