What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
building
Example
The tall building in the city center is a famous landmark. [building: noun]
Example
They are building a new school in the neighborhood. [building: verb]
edifice
Example
The ancient edifice stood as a testament to the rich history of the city. [edifice: noun]
Example
The government decided to construct an edifice to commemorate the nation's independence. [edifice: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Building is a more common word and is widely used in everyday language to refer to various structures. On the other hand, edifice is less common and tends to be used in more formal or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between building and edifice?
While building is a versatile word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, edifice is more formal and sophisticated in tone, making it more suitable for formal or academic writing.