What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
boat
Example
We went out on a boat to go fishing in the lake. [boat: noun]
Example
She loves to row her boat along the river on sunny afternoons. [boat: verb]
vessel
Example
The captain commanded the vessel through rough seas. [vessel: noun]
Example
Please pour the liquid into the vessel carefully. [vessel: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Boat is more commonly used than vessel in everyday language. Boat is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vessel is less common and tends to be used in more specific or formal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between boat and vessel?
While boat is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, vessel is more formal and commonly used in technical or professional contexts.