What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
expiration
Example
The expiration date on my driver's license is coming up soon. [expiration: noun]
Example
After the surgery, the patient had difficulty with expiration due to lung complications. [expiration: noun]
Example
The milk has passed its expiration date and should not be consumed. [expiration: adjective]
expiry
Example
The expiry date on my passport is in two months. [expiry: noun]
Example
The patient had difficulty with expiry due to lung complications. [expiry: noun]
Example
The medicine should not be used after its expiry date. [expiry: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Expiration is more common than expiry in everyday language, especially in American English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between expiration and expiry?
Both expiration and expiry are formal words that are typically used in professional or legal contexts.
