What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crayon
Example
She colored the picture using a box of crayons. [crayons: noun]
Example
The child drew a picture of their family using crayons. [crayons: noun]
Example
He wrote his name in crayon on the paper. [crayon: noun]
pastel
Example
The artist used pastels to create a portrait of a woman. [pastels: noun]
Example
She drew a landscape using pastels. [pastels: noun]
Example
The walls were painted in a pastel shade of blue. [pastel: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crayon is more commonly used than pastel in everyday language, especially when referring to coloring tools for children. Pastel is more commonly used in the context of art and design.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crayon and pastel?
Pastel is generally considered more formal than crayon, as it is associated with fine art and design. However, both words can be used in a range of formality levels depending on the context.
