What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
detainee
Example
The detainee was held for questioning by the police. [detainee: noun]
Example
The immigration officers detained the asylum seekers at the border. [detained: past tense verb]
prisoner
Example
The prisoner was released after serving his sentence. [prisoner: noun]
Example
The soldiers were taken prisoner by the enemy forces. [prisoners: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prisoner is more commonly used than detainee in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and situations. However, detainee is still an important term in legal and political discussions.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between detainee and prisoner?
Both detainee and prisoner are formal terms that are typically used in legal and official contexts. However, prisoner may be more commonly used in informal settings as well, due to its wider usage and familiarity.
