What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
compress
Example
I need to compress this pile of clothes to fit them in my suitcase. [compress: verb]
Example
The software can compress large video files without losing quality. [compress: verb]
Example
She used a bandage to compress the wound and stop the bleeding. [compress: verb]
compact
Example
The new phone model is more compact than the previous one. [compact: adjective]
Example
I always carry a compact umbrella in my bag in case it rains. [compact: noun]
Example
She compacted the soil before planting the seeds. [compacted: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Compress is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, while compact is more commonly used in everyday language to describe physical objects.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between compress and compact?
Compress is generally considered more formal than compact, which has a more casual and convenient connotation.
