What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
commemorative
Example
The city erected a commemorative statue in the park to honor the brave soldiers. [commemorative: adjective]
Example
They attended a commemorative ceremony to remember the victims of the tragedy. [commemorative: noun]
memorial
Example
They visited the memorial to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers. [memorial: noun]
Example
The family held a memorial service to celebrate the life of their loved one. [memorial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Memorial is more commonly used than commemorative in everyday language. Memorial is widely recognized and associated with honoring the deceased, while commemorative is less common and used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between commemorative and memorial?
Both commemorative and memorial can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, memorial is more commonly used in formal settings, such as memorial services or official memorials, while commemorative can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
