What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ell
Example
The tailor measured the fabric by the ell. [ell: noun]
Example
She bought three ells of silk for her dress. [ell: plural noun]
measurement
Example
He took the measurement of the room to determine how much paint he needed. [measurement: noun]
Example
The measurement of the box was too large to fit in the car. [measurement: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Measurement is much more commonly used than ell in everyday language and various fields of study. Ell is an archaic unit of measurement that is rarely used in modern language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ell and measurement?
Measurement is a versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while ell is typically associated with historical or literary contexts and may not be appropriate for formal situations.
