What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
devote
Example
She decided to devote her life to helping others. [devote: verb]
Example
He is devoted to his family and spends all his free time with them. [devoted: adjective]
sacrifice
Example
She sacrificed her career to take care of her sick mother. [sacrificed: past tense]
Example
The ancient people would sacrifice animals to their gods as a form of worship. [sacrifice: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Devote and sacrifice are both commonly used in everyday language, but devote is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts. Sacrifice is often associated with religious or cultural practices, but can also be used in other contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between devote and sacrifice?
Devote is typically associated with a formal or serious tone, while sacrifice can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation.