What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
environment
Example
The environment is suffering from pollution and climate change. [environment: noun]
Example
The work environment was stressful and unproductive. [environment: noun]
milieu
Example
Growing up in a creative milieu inspired her to pursue a career in the arts. [milieu: noun]
Example
The film perfectly captured the gritty milieu of urban life. [milieu: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Environment is more commonly used than milieu in everyday language, especially in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between environment and milieu?
Environment is generally considered more formal than milieu, which can have a more literary or artistic connotation.
