What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
county
Example
I live in Fairfax County, Virginia. [county: noun]
Example
The county council voted to increase property taxes. [county: adjective]
region
Example
The wine region of Napa Valley is famous for its vineyards. [region: noun]
Example
The Midwest region of the United States is known for its agriculture. [region: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
County is more common in the United States, where it is used to describe specific administrative divisions of states and counties. Region is more commonly used in other parts of the world, where it is used to describe larger areas with shared characteristics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between county and region?
County is generally considered more formal than region, as it is often used in official government documents and legal contexts. Region is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
