What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
detritus
Example
The beach was littered with detritus from the storm. [detritus: noun]
Example
The river carried away the detritus from the landslide. [detritus: noun]
garbage
Example
The garbage truck comes every Tuesday to collect our trash. [garbage: noun]
Example
Please don't leave your garbage on the street. [garbage: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Garbage is more commonly used than detritus in everyday language. Garbage is a term that most people are familiar with, while detritus is less common and may be used more in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between detritus and garbage?
Detritus is often associated with a more formal or technical tone, while garbage is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
