What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contagion
Example
The contagion of COVID-19 has affected millions of people worldwide. [contagion: noun]
Example
The fear of failure can be a contagion that spreads among team members. [contagion: metaphorical use]
contamination
Example
The water supply was contaminated with lead, causing health problems for the residents. [contamination: noun]
Example
The politician's reputation was contaminated by the scandal. [contaminated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contamination is more commonly used than contagion in everyday language. Contamination has a broader range of applications and can refer to various types of pollution or corruption, while contagion is more specific to the spread of diseases or ideas.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contagion and contamination?
Both contagion and contamination can be used in formal and informal contexts, but contamination is more versatile and can be employed in various fields such as science, engineering, and law.
