What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
carious
Example
The dentist found several carious teeth during the examination. [carious: adjective]
Example
She needs to get her carious tooth filled to prevent further damage. [carious: adjective]
rotten
Example
The smell in the fridge was unbearable because of the rotten food. [rotten: adjective]
Example
The wooden fence had become rotten and needed to be replaced. [rotten: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rotten is a more commonly used word compared to carious. While rotten can be used in everyday language to describe various situations, carious is a more technical term primarily used in medical and dental contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between carious and rotten?
In terms of formality, carious is more formal as it is used in specific professional settings such as dentistry. Rotten, on the other hand, is more informal and can be used in both casual and formal contexts when describing the decay or deterioration of objects or food.
