What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ergastulum
Example
The gladiators were kept in an ergastulum before their fights. [ergastulum: noun]
Example
The slaves were forced to work in the ergastulum all day. [ergastulum: noun]
dungeon
Example
The prisoner was locked up in the dungeon for days. [dungeon: noun]
Example
The king's enemies were thrown into the castle dungeon. [dungeon: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dungeon is more commonly used than ergastulum in everyday language. Dungeon is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ergastulum is less common and has a more specific historical connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ergastulum and dungeon?
Both ergastulum and dungeon are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, ergastulum may be considered more formal due to its historical and specific connotation.