What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
citizenship
Example
He applied for citizenship in the new country after living there for five years. [citizenship: noun]
Example
She studied the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in her social studies class. [citizenship: noun]
nationality
Example
Her nationality is Japanese, but she was born and raised in the United States. [nationality: noun]
Example
He proudly represented his nationality at the international conference. [nationality: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Citizenship is a more commonly used term in legal and administrative contexts, while nationality is frequently used in informal conversations and discussions about cultural diversity.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between citizenship and nationality?
Citizenship is typically associated with a formal tone due to its legal implications, while nationality can be used in both formal and informal contexts.