What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dungeon
Example
The prisoner was locked up in the dungeon for days. [dungeon: noun]
Example
The dungeon was damp and cold, with no windows or light. [dungeon: adjective]
cell
Example
The inmate was placed in a solitary confinement cell. [cell: noun]
Example
The human body is made up of trillions of cells. [cell: noun]
Example
The office had several cubicles or cells for employees to work in. [cell: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cell is a more common word than dungeon in everyday language, especially in the context of prisons and jails. Dungeon is less commonly used and is often associated with fantasy or historical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dungeon and cell?
Both dungeon and cell are relatively formal words, but cell can be used in more neutral or clinical contexts, such as in biology or chemistry, while dungeon is more limited to historical or fictional contexts.