What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
facial
Example
She had a facial to rejuvenate her skin. [facial: noun]
Example
He made a facial expression of surprise. [facial: adjective]
cranial
Example
The doctor ordered a cranial MRI to diagnose the patient's headache. [cranial: adjective]
Example
The cranial nerves are responsible for various sensory and motor functions. [cranial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Facial is more commonly used than cranial in everyday language, especially in the context of beauty treatments and expressions. Cranial is more technical and specific to medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between facial and cranial?
Cranial is more formal than facial due to its technical and medical associations. Facial can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in the context of beauty treatments and expressions.
