What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gill
Example
Fish breathe through their gills. [gills: noun]
Example
The gills of a fish are responsible for extracting oxygen from the water. [gills: noun]
lung
Example
Humans breathe through their lungs. [lungs: noun]
Example
The lungs are responsible for extracting oxygen from the air we breathe. [lungs: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lung is more commonly used than gill in everyday language, as it is the primary respiratory organ for humans and many other terrestrial animals. Gill is less common and is mainly used in the context of aquatic animals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gill and lung?
Both gill and lung are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
