What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
duration
Example
The duration of the movie was two hours. [duration: noun]
Example
I can't believe the duration of the concert was three hours! [duration: noun]
Example
The duration of the flight was six hours. [duration: noun]
length
Example
The length of the rope was five meters. [length: noun]
Example
The length of the book was 300 pages. [length: noun]
Example
The length of the meeting was one hour. [length: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Length is more commonly used than duration in everyday language. Length is a versatile word that can be used in many contexts, while duration is more specific and tends to be used in more formal or technical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between duration and length?
Duration is generally considered more formal than length, as it is often used in technical or scientific contexts. However, both words can be used in formal or informal settings depending on the context.