What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cricket
Example
I heard a cricket chirping outside my window last night. [cricket: noun]
Example
My favorite sport to watch is cricket. [cricket: noun]
Example
The percussionist used a cricket to add a unique sound to the song. [cricket: noun]
insect
Example
There was a spider crawling on the wall, but it's not an insect. [insect: noun]
Example
She decided to major in entomology because she loves studying insects. [insect: noun]
Example
We had to call an exterminator to get rid of the insect problem in our house. [insect: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Insect is a much more common word than cricket, as it is a broader term that encompasses many different types of small creatures. Cricket is less commonly used and is typically only used to refer to the insect, the sport, or the musical instrument.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cricket and insect?
Both cricket and insect are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
