What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drudgery
Example
Cleaning the bathroom is such a drudgery. [drudgery: noun]
Example
She drudged through her workday, counting down the minutes until she could go home. [drudged: verb]
toil
Example
The farmers toiled in the fields all day, harvesting crops under the hot sun. [toiled: verb]
Example
She put in years of toil and dedication to become a successful lawyer. [toil: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Toil is more commonly used than drudgery in everyday language. Toil is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while drudgery is less common and has a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drudgery and toil?
Both drudgery and toil are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as discussing work or labor conditions.
